Ultrasound medical instrument having a medical ultrasonic blade

Abstract

A first ultrasound medical instrument includes a medical ultrasonic blade having first, second and third blade portions. The second blade portion is more bendable than either of the first and third blade portions. A second ultrasound medical instrument includes a medical ultrasonic blade having a proximal blade portion and a distal blade portion. The distal blade portion bends more easily than does the proximal blade portion. The distal blade portion includes a distal end portion adapted to contact and ultrasonically treat patient tissue. A third ultrasonic medical instrument includes a medical ultrasonic blade. The medical ultrasonic blade includes a proximal blade portion having a centerline and includes a distal blade portion in contact with the proximal blade portion at a substantially planar interface. The interface is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to a perpendicular to the centerline at the interface.

1 . An ultrasonic medical instrument comprising a medical ultrasonic blade having a length and including a proximal blade portion and a distal blade portion, wherein the proximal blade portion has a larger transverse area and the distal blade portion has a smaller transverse area, wherein the distal blade portion is more bendable than the proximal blade portion, and wherein the distal blade portion includes a distal end portion adapted to contact and ultrasonically treat patient tissue. 
   
   
       2 . An ultrasonic medical instrument comprising a medical ultrasonic blade including a proximal blade portion having a centerline and including a distal blade portion in contact with the proximal blade portion at a substantially planar interface, wherein the interface is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to a perpendicular to the centerline at the interface. 
   
   
       3 . The ultrasonic medical instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the proximal and distal blade portions each have a shape of a substantially solid circular cylinder. 
   
   
       4 . The ultrasonic medical instrument of  claim 2 , wherein the proximal and distal blade portions each have a shape of a substantially solid circular cylinder having at least one area of removed material, wherein the medical ultrasonic blade has an unarticulated position and an articulated position, and wherein the at-least-one areas of the proximal and distal blade portions are substantially rotationally opposed about the centerline in the unarticulated position and are substantially rotationally aligned about the centerline in the articulated position.