Patent ID: 8025672
Filing Date: 2011-09-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical method comprising: providing an ultrasonic probe having a shaft and a probe head that is enlarged relative to said shaft in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said shaft, said probe head being provided with a substantially planar lateral surface extending generally parallel to said longitudinal axis of said shaft, said lateral surface being laterally outwardly spaced relative to said shaft; placing said lateral surface in contact with organic tissues of a patient at a wound site; during the contacting of the tissues with said lateral surface, energizing the probe to vibrate said probe head at at least one first ultrasonic frequency and at least one first tip excursion amplitude preselected to fragment damaged tissue and debride the wound site by generation of cavitation bubbles; and subsequently, also during a contacting of the tissues with said probe head, energizing the probe to vibrate said probe head at at least one second ultrasonic frequency and at least one second tip excursion amplitude preselected for increased transmission of vibratory energy into the debrided tissues and enhancing healing, wherein said second ultrasonic frequency is substantially greater than said first ultrasonic frequency and wherein said second tip excursion amplitude is substantially less than said first tip excursion amplitude, said first ultrasonic frequency being a low frequency and said first tip excursion amplitude being a high amplitude, said second ultrasonic frequency being a high frequency and said second tip excursion amplitude being a low amplitude.