Ultrasonic surgical instrument with cooling conduit

Abstract

An apparatus includes a body assembly, an acoustic waveguide, an ultrasonic blade, and a liquid dispensing feature. The ultrasonic blade is positioned distally relative to the body assembly. The ultrasonic blade is in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned distally relative to the body assembly. The liquid dispensing feature is positioned adjacent to the ultrasonic blade. The liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver a flow of cooling liquid to the ultrasonic blade.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 (a) an acoustic waveguide;   (b) an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide and longitudinally extending from a proximal blade portion to a distal blade portion; and   (c) a liquid dispensing feature positioned adjacent to the ultrasonic blade and configured to transition from a distal position to a proximal position, wherein the liquid dispensing feature in the distal position longitudinally receives the proximal blade portion and at least a portion of the distal blade portion such that the liquid dispensing feature at least substantially encompasses the ultrasonic blade therein, wherein the liquid dispensing feature in the proximal position exposes the distal blade portion and at least a portion of the proximal blade portion such that the ultrasonic blade distally projects relative to the liquid dispensing feature, and wherein the liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver a flow of cooling liquid to the ultrasonic blade.   
     
     
         22 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the ultrasonic blade defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the liquid dispensing feature is configured to translate parallel to the longitudinal axis as the liquid dispensing feature transitions from the distal position toward the proximal position. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to be received in a hollow interior defined by the liquid dispensing feature when the liquid dispensing feature is in the distal position. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the liquid dispensing feature is resiliently biased toward the distal position. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the ultrasonic blade has a sharp edge extending from the proximal blade portion to the distal blade portion. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the liquid dispensing feature in the distal position longitudinally receives the proximal blade portion and the distal blade portion such that the liquid dispensing feature fully encompasses the ultrasonic blade therein. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the ultrasonic blade longitudinally extends along an axis, and wherein the liquid dispensing feature surrounds the axis and at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical instrument of  claim 27 , wherein the ultrasonic blade is received in a hollow interior defined by the liquid dispensing feature. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical instrument of  claim 28 , wherein the liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver the flow of cooling liquid to the hollow interior. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical instrument of  claim 29 , wherein the liquid dispensing feature further defines a distal opening in fluid communication with the hollow interior, and wherein the liquid dispensing feature is further configured to expel at least a portion of the flow of cooling liquid through the distal opening. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical instrument of  claim 30 , wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to move relative to the liquid dispensing feature within the distal opening. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical instrument of  claim 21 , wherein the liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver the flow of cooling liquid to the ultrasonic blade as the ultrasonic blade transitions from the proximal position toward the distal position. 
     
     
         33 . A surgical instrument comprising:
 (a) an acoustic waveguide;   (b) an ultrasonic blade longitudinally extending and in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide, wherein the ultrasonic blade includes a transverse opening and an edge, wherein the edge has a substantially flat surface; and   (c) a liquid dispensing feature positioned adjacent to the ultrasonic blade, wherein the liquid dispensing feature is configured to translate distally over the ultrasonic blade, and wherein the liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver a flow of cooling liquid to the ultrasonic blade.   
     
     
         34 . The surgical instrument of  claim 33 , wherein the liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver the flow of cooling liquid to a region of highest temperature of the ultrasonic blade. 
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , wherein the liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver the flow of cooling liquid distally along the transverse opening. 
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising a handle assembly proximally positioned relative to the ultrasonic blade and configured to be gripped by an operator. 
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising a body assembly proximally positioned relative to the ultrasonic blade, and wherein the body assembly includes a fluid port configured to enable fluid flow from a fluid source to the liquid dispensing feature. 
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the body assembly further comprises a fluid switch operable to selectively control fluid flow to the liquid dispensing feature. 
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of  claim 33 , further comprising a body assembly proximally positioned relative to the ultrasonic blade, and wherein the body assembly includes at activation feature operatively connected to the ultrasonic transducer assembly such that the ultrasonic transducer assembly is configured to be activated in response to actuation of the activation feature. 
     
     
         40 . A method of cooling an ultrasonic blade of a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument including (a) an acoustic waveguide; (b) an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the acoustic waveguide and longitudinally extending from a proximal blade portion to a distal blade portion; and (c) a liquid dispensing feature positioned adjacent to the ultrasonic blade and configured to transition from a distal position to a proximal position, wherein the liquid dispensing feature in the distal position longitudinally receives the proximal blade portion and at least a portion of the distal blade portion such that the liquid dispensing feature at least substantially encompasses the ultrasonic blade therein, wherein the liquid dispensing feature in the proximal position exposes the distal blade portion and at least a portion of the proximal blade portion such that the ultrasonic blade distally projects relative to the liquid dispensing feature, and wherein the liquid dispensing feature is configured to deliver a flow of cooling liquid to the ultrasonic blade, the method comprising:
 (a) delivering the flow the cooling liquid from the liquid dispensing feature to the ultrasonic blade thereby cooling the ultrasonic blade.