Ultrasonic cutting tool

Abstract

The ultrasonic surgical tool has an elongate waveguide ( 1 ) operatively connected or connectable at a proximal end to a source of ultrasonic vibrations. At a distal end, an operative element comprises a radially-extending ridge ( 2 ) defined between a substantially parallel pair of grooves ( 4 ) extending longitudinally of the waveguide ( 1 ). The operative element is curved in a plane transverse to that of the ridge ( 2 ). This arrangement is ergonomically superior and allows a surgeon to work for longer and with improved control. It also allows a clear visualisation of the operative elements of the tool and the target tissue.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . An ultrasonic surgical tool comprising:
 elongate waveguide means,   a source of torsional mode ultrasonic vibrations operatively connected or connectable to a proximal end of said waveguide means, and   an operative element adjacent a generally cylindrical distal end of said waveguide means and comprising a radially-extending ridge means defined between a substantially parallel pair of groove means extending longitudinally of the waveguide means from a distal end thereof, said operative element being curved in a plane transverse to that of the ridge means.   
   
   
       12 . A tool as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the operative element is curved in a plane substantially perpendicular to that of the ridge means. 
   
   
       13 . A tool as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the operative element is tapered towards its distal end. 
   
   
       14 . A tool as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the operative element has a substantially blunt distal tip. 
   
   
       15 . A tool as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the operative element comprises two convergent faces extending transversely to the plane of curvature of the operative element, preferably with a first said convergent face is concavely curved and a second said convergent face convexly curved. 
   
   
       16 . A tool as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the ridge means extends in a plane generally bisecting those of the convergent faces, and the first concave convergent face converges towards the plane of the ridge means more gradually than does the second convex convergent face. 
   
   
       17 . A tool as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the operative element further comprises a jaw member controllably moveable pivotally into and out of engagement with the ridge means. 
   
   
       18 . A tool as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the jaw member or its contact surface is curved correspondingly with the ridge means. 
   
   
       19 . A tool as claimed in  claim 11 , further comprising means whereby the operative element may be selectably rotated about a longitudinal axis of the waveguide means so as to be presented to a desired element of tissue on which to act. 
   
   
       20 . An ultrasonic surgical tool comprising:
 elongate waveguide means,   a source of torsional mode ultrasonic vibrations operatively connected or connectable to a proximal end of said waveguide means,   an operative element adjacent a generally cylindrical distal end of said waveguide means and comprising a radially-extending ridge means defined between a substantially parallel pair of groove means extending longitudinally of the waveguide means from a distal end thereof, said operative element being curved in a plane transverse to that of the ridge means, and   a controllably pivotable non-vibrated jaw mechanism comprising a jaw member with a curvature corresponding with that of the ridge means, the jaw member being operable to be brought down into contact with an upper surface of the ridge means and to trap tissue to be cut and coagulated therebetween.