Ultrasonic surgical instrument

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided, including a handpiece, a lever operably coupled to the handpiece and movable between first, second, and third positions, a shaft assembly extending distally from the handpiece, and an ultrasonic waveguide extending through the shaft assembly and defining a fixed jaw member at a distal end portion thereof. An outlet at the distal end of the fixed jaw member provides irrigation of fluid. The waveguide functions as an aspirator well as a transector/dissector of tissue. A movable jaw member is disposed towards a distal end portion of the shaft assembly and is operably coupled to the lever such that movement of the lever between the first, second, and third positions moves the movable jaw member relative to the fixed jaw member between a retracted position, an extended open position, and an extended closed position.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
 a handpiece;   a shaft assembly extending distally from the handpiece; and   an ultrasonic waveguide extending through the shaft assembly and including a fixed jaw member at a distal portion thereon, the fixed jaw member defining a first aperture adapted to emit irrigation fluid into a surgical site and a second aperture, independent of the first aperture, adapted to receive aspirated material from a surgical site.   
     
     
         22 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein the first aperture communicates with a first passageway extending through the waveguide. 
     
     
         23 . The ultrasonic surgical according to  claim 21 , wherein the second aperture communicates with a second passageway extending through the waveguide. 
     
     
         24 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein the first aperture communicates with a first passageway extending through the waveguide and the second aperture communicates with a second passageway extending through the waveguide independent of the first passageway. 
     
     
         25 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein the second aperture is positioned more-distally relative to the first aperture. 
     
     
         26 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein the first and second apertures are oriented in a distally-facing direction. 
     
     
         27 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein the handpiece further includes a fluid inlet port communicating with the first aperture and configured to operably couple to a fluid source. 
     
     
         28 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein the handpiece further includes a suction port communicating with the second aperture and configured to operably couple to a source of vacuum. 
     
     
         29 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first or second apertures defines a substantially teardrop shape. 
     
     
         30 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 21 , wherein both of the first and second apertures define substantially teardrop shapes. 
     
     
         31 . An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
 a handpiece;   a shaft assembly extending distally from the handpiece;   a lever extending from the handpiece and operably coupled to the shaft assembly;   an ultrasonic waveguide extending through the shaft assembly and including a fixed jaw member at a distal portion thereon, the fixed jaw member defining a first aperture adapted to emit irrigation fluid into a surgical site and a second aperture, independent of the first aperture, adapted to receive aspirated material from a surgical site; and   a movable jaw member disposed towards a distal portion of the shaft assembly and operably coupled to the lever such that actuation of the lever moves the movable jaw member relative to the fixed jaw member at least between an open position, wherein the movable jaw member is spaced-apart from the fixed jaw member, and a closed position, wherein the movable jaw member is approximated relative to the fixed jaw member.   
     
     
         32 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein the first aperture communicates with a first passageway extending through the waveguide and the second aperture communicates with a second passageway extending through the waveguide independent of the first passageway. 
     
     
         33 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 32 , wherein the handpiece further includes:
 a fluid inlet port communicating with the first passageway and configured to operably couple to a fluid source; and   a suction port communicating with the second passageway and configured to operably couple to a source of vacuum.   
     
     
         34 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein the second aperture is positioned more-distally relative to the first aperture. 
     
     
         35 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein the first and second apertures are oriented in a distally-facing direction. 
     
     
         36 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein at least one of the first or second apertures defines a substantially teardrop shape. 
     
     
         37 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein both of the first and second apertures define substantially teardrop shapes. 
     
     
         38 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , further including an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the handpiece and operably coupled to the waveguide. 
     
     
         39 . The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to  claim 31 , wherein actuation of the lever moves the movable jaw member relative to the fixed jaw member between a retracted position, wherein the movable jaw member is positioned proximally of the fixed jaw member, the open position, and the closed position.