Curved ultrasonic surgical blade

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical device including an elongate waveguide having a longitudinal axis and a distal end, and a blade extending away from the distal end of the waveguide, the blade including a curved portion that has at least five faces extending lengthwise along at least a portion of the length of the blade. Each of the faces has a width that extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide and a length that extends orthogonal to the width. Each of the faces is flat across its width and is either flat along its entire length or includes one or more curved segments along its length, with each of the curved segments of an individual face being curved in the same direction. A method of fabricating an ultrasonic surgical device is also provided.

1 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . A blade for an ultrasonic surgical instrument, said blade having a length, a distal end, and a curved portion comprising six faces extending lengthwise along at least portion of the length of the blade, each of said faces having a width, a length that extends orthogonal to the width of the face, and a distal segment that extends to the distal end of the blade, wherein:
 each of the faces is flat across its width and, along its entire length, it flat or curved along one or more curved segments, with each of the curved segments of an individual face being curved in the same direction such that the axes of curvature of each of the curved segments of an individual face are parallel to one another and no face curves in more than one direction;   the faces are arranged as three pairs of opposing faces such that the opposing faces of each pair are parallel across their widths, and the axes of curvature of each of the curved segments of the opposing faces of each pair are parallel to one another; and   at least one of said distal segments has a convex curvature along its length and the distal segment of the face opposing said at least one convex distal segment has a concave curvature along its length.   
     
     
         49 . The blade of  claim 48 , wherein each of said distal segments is curved such that the distal segment of one face of each of said pairs has a convex curvature and the distal segment of the other face of that pair has a concave curvature.