Transducer/Waveguide Engagement Mechanisms for Ultrasonic Surgical Instruments

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a transducer assembly having a distal engagement member and configured to supply ultrasonic energy. A waveguide defines a longitudinal axis and has a proximal engagement member configured to threadingly engage the distal engagement member. The waveguide is configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy therealong to a distal end thereof for treating tissue. A torque member is coupled to the transducer assembly and is disposed about the longitudinal axis. The torque member is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and relative to the waveguide to threadingly engage the transducer assembly and the waveguide to one another. The torque member includes a plurality of fingers pivotably coupled thereto and movable between a closed position and an open position. In the open position, each finger extends substantially perpendicularly from the longitudinal axis to define a moment arm that facilitates the engagement of the transducer assembly and the waveguide.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
 a transducer assembly configured to supply ultrasonic energy, the transducer assembly including a distal engagement member;   a waveguide defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal engagement member configured to threadingly engage the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly, the waveguide configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy therealong from the proximal engagement member to a distal end thereof for treating tissue; and   a torque member coupled to the transducer assembly and disposed about the longitudinal axis, the torque member selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis and relative to the waveguide to threadingly engage the transducer assembly and the waveguide, the torque member including a plurality of fingers pivotably coupled thereto and movable between a closed position, wherein the fingers are disposed in close proximity to one another and relative to the longitudinal axis, and a open position, wherein each finger extends radially-outwardly from the longitudinal axis in substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the longitudinal axis to define a moment arm configured to facilitate threading engagement of the transducer assembly and the waveguide.   
     
     
         2 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tool assembly disposed at the distal end of the waveguide, the tool assembly including a blade coupled to the waveguide and a clamp member movable relative to the blade from an open position to a clamped position for clamping tissue between the clamp member and the blade. 
     
     
         3 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , further comprising a transducer and generator assembly including the transducer assembly and a generator coupled to the transducer assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 3 , wherein the transducer and generator assembly rotatably supports the transducer assembly thereon. 
     
     
         5 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 3 , wherein the transducer and generator assembly is releasably engagable with a handle assembly of the ultrasonic surgical instrument. 
     
     
         6 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the proximal engagement member of the waveguide includes a threaded extension configured for engagement within a threaded bore defined within the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 1 , wherein the fingers of the torque member are stable in each of the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         8 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
 a transducer assembly configured to supply ultrasonic energy, the transducer assembly including a distal engagement member;   a waveguide defining a longitudinal axis and having a proximal engagement member configured to engage the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly, the waveguide configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy therealong from the proximal engagement member to a distal end thereof for treating tissue; and   a latch mechanism configured to releasably engage the transducer assembly and the waveguide to one another, the latch mechanism including:
 a crank arm having a first end and a second end, the crank arm pivotably coupled to one of the transducer assembly and the waveguide at the first end thereof via a first pivot; 
 a linkage pivotably coupled to the second end of the crank arm at a first end of the linkage via a second pivot; and 
 a sleeve member pivotably coupled to the linkage at a second end of the linkage via a third pivot, the sleeve member at least partially positionable about the other of the transducer assembly and the waveguide; 
 wherein, the crank arm is selectively pivotable about the first pivot between an unlocked position, wherein the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly and the proximal engagement member of the waveguide are spaced-apart relative to one another, and a locked position, wherein the first and second pivots are aligned with one another and the longitudinal axis and wherein the third pivot is disposed in an over-center position relative to the first and second pivots and the longitudinal axis such that the sleeve member maintains the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly and the proximal engagement member of the waveguide in engagement with one another. 
   
     
     
         9 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 8 , wherein the crank arm is pivotably coupled to the transducer assembly at the first end thereof and wherein the waveguide is at least partially insertable through a lumen defined through sleeve member. 
     
     
         10 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 9 , wherein the waveguide includes a proximal collar, the proximal collar inhibited from passing through the sleeve member such that, in the locked position, the sleeve member abuts the proximal collar to maintain the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly and the proximal engagement member of the waveguide in engagement with one another. 
     
     
         11 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 9 , wherein, in the locked position, the proximal engagement member of the waveguide engages the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly at a displacement node. 
     
     
         12 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 8 , wherein the crank arm is pivotably coupled to the waveguide at the first end thereof and wherein the sleeve member is positionable about at least a portion of the transducer assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 12 , wherein the transducer assembly includes a distal collar and wherein, in the locked position, the sleeve member abuts the distal collar to maintain the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly and the proximal engagement member of the waveguide in engagement with one another. 
     
     
         14 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 12 , wherein, in the locked position, the proximal engagement member of the waveguide engages the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly at a displacement anti-node and wherein a pivot point between the crank arm and the waveguide is located at a displacement node. 
     
     
         15 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
 a transducer assembly configured to supply ultrasonic energy, the transducer assembly including a distal stop member disposed at a distal end thereof;   a waveguide including a proximal hub, the waveguide defining a longitudinal recess configured to receive at least a portion of the transducer assembly therein and a transverse lumen extending therethrough in substantially parallel orientation relative to the longitudinal recess, the waveguide configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy therealong to a distal end thereof for treating tissue; and   a latch mechanism configured to releasably engage the transducer assembly and the waveguide to one another, the latch mechanism including:
 an angled chuck movably disposed within the transverse lumen, the angled chuck having a first end defining a first width and a second end defining a second width smaller than the first width, the angled chuck including a pair of spaced-apart legs at the second end thereof defining a slot therebetween, the legs angled relative to one another such that the legs define a first gap distance therebetween at a closed end thereof and a second gap distance therebetween at an open end thereof that is greater than the first gap distance, the angled chuck selectively movable between an unlocked position, permitting insertion of the at least a portion of the transducer assembly into the longitudinal recess and through the slot, and a locked position, wherein withdrawal of the distal stop member through the slot is inhibited and wherein the angled chuck is wedged between the distal stop member of the transducer assembly and the proximal hub of the waveguide to engage the transducer assembly and waveguide to one another. 
   
     
     
         16 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 15 , further comprising a lock pusher, the lock pusher positioned adjacent the first end of the chuck and selectively depressible to move the chuck from the unlocked position to the locked position. 
     
     
         17 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 15 , further comprising an unlock pusher positioned adjacent the second end of the chuck and selectively depressible to move the chuck from the locked position to the unlocked position. 
     
     
         18 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 16 , wherein, in the locked position, the angled chuck is located at a displacement anti-node. 
     
     
         19 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
 a transducer assembly configured to supply ultrasonic energy, the transducer assembly including a distal engagement member and a pair of opposed knobs extending outwardly therefrom adjacent a distal end thereof;   a waveguide having a proximal engagement member configured to engage the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly, the waveguide configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy therealong from the proximal engagement member to a distal end thereof for treating tissue; and   a latch mechanism configured to releasably engage the transducer assembly and the waveguide to one another, the latch mechanism including:
 a lever including a handle portion, an intermediate portion, and an engaging portion, the lever pivotably coupled to the waveguide about the intermediate portion thereof, the handle portion extending from one end of the intermediate portion, the engaging portion extending from the other end of the intermediate portion, the engaging portion defining a bifurcated configuration and including a pair of hook members, the handle portion selectively movable between an unlocked position and a locked position to move the hook members into engagement with the knobs to engage the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly and the proximal engagement member of the waveguide with one another. 
   
     
     
         20 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 19 , wherein, in the locked position, the proximal engagement member of the waveguide engages the distal engagement member of the transducer assembly at a displacement anti-node and wherein a pivot point between the lever and the waveguide is located at a displacement node.