Patent ID: 7871392
Filing Date: 2011-01-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An ultrasonic horn assembly comprising: a flue having a distal end; a housing disposed within the flue, the housing having a distal end; an elongated member operatively disposed within the housing, the elongated member having a distal end which has a vibrating tip portion protruding distally beyond the distal end of the housing and protruding distally beyond the distal end of the flue, the elongated member also having an internal channel extending through the elongated member including the vibrating tip portion, the channel being configured for aspiration; an optical viewing element operatively located within the flue and configured to view at least the vibrating tip portion; wherein the housing includes an inside surface that is larger than a diameter of the elongated member thereby creating a first internal space between the elongated member and the housing; wherein the flue has an inside surface that is larger than the housing thereby creating a second internal space separate from the first internal space and which is formed between the housing and the flue, the second internal space being open at the distal end of the flue, the flue being adapted such that irrigation fluid applied to the second internal space flows out the distal end of the flue over the vibrating tip portion of the elongated member; and a seal disposed between the housing and the elongated member at a position proximal to the vibrating tip portion, the seal configured to inhibit fluids entering into the first internal space from the distal end of the flue and to inhibit fluids exiting the first internal space at the distal end of the housing to reach the vibrating tip portion; wherein the internal channel of the elongated member includes an aperture located at a position on the elongated member that is proximal to the seal.