PROTECTIVE SLEEVE AND ASSOCIATED SURGICAL METHOD

An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an elongate substantially rigid probe and an elongate tubular sheath member. The probe is operatively connected at a proximal end to a source of ultrasonic mechanical vibrations and has a distal tip configured for transmitting ultrasonic vibration energy into organic tissues. The probe longitudinally traverses the sheath member. The sheath member has a distal edge with a first portion on one side of the probe and a second portion on an opposite side of the probe. The first portion of the distal edge of the sheath member is disposed substantially closer than the second portion of the sheath's distal edge to the distal tip of the probe. The second portion of the distal edge is so spaced from the distal tip as to permit effective visualization of the distal tip during use of the instrument.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As depicted inFIG. 1, an ultrasonic surgical instrument assembly10comprises an elongate substantially rigid probe12and an elongate tubular sheath member14. Probe12is operatively connected at a proximal end to a source16of ultrasonic mechanical vibrations and has a distal tip18configured for transmitting ultrasonic vibration energy into organic tissues OT (FIG. 3). Probe12longitudinally traverses sheath member14.

Sheath member14has a distal edge20with a first portion22on one side of probe12and a second portion24on an opposite side of the probe. Edge portion22is located distally of edge portion24and is therefore disposed substantially closer than edge portion24to distal tip18of probe12. Sheath edge portion24is so spaced from probe distal tip18as to permit effective visualization of the distal tip during use of the instrument assembly10.

Edge portion22of sheath distal edge20is typically spaced a distance De of between 1 mm and about 3 mm from distal tip18of probe12. Sheath distal edge portion24is typically spaced a distance Re of between about 8 mm and 12 mm from probe tip18.

As depicted inFIG. 2, edge portion22of sheath distal edge20may subtend an angle α about a longitudinal axis26of probe12that is between an angle a1 of about 160° and an angle a2 of about 270°. Concomitantly, edge portion22of sheath distal edge20may subtend an angle β about longitudinal axis26that is between an angle b1 of about 200° and an angle b2 of about 90°. Edge portion22of sheath distal edge20preferably has an angular extent α sufficient to insulate organic tissues OT of a patient from undesirable contact with probe12, while edge portion24has a sufficient angular extent β to permit visualization of distal tip18and its proximity to tissues OT of the patient. InFIG. 1, subtended angles α and β are shown at values of about 180° each.

Sheath member14constitutes a protective sleeve wherein distal edge20has longitudinally staggered edge portions22and24. Thus, sheath member is longer on the side of relatively distal edge portion22than on the side of relatively proximal edge portion24. Proximal edge portions22and24each take the approximate form of a circular section or arc. Edge portions22and24are connected to one another by longitudinally extending linear edge sections30and32(FIG. 1). Proximal edge portion24defines, together with linear edge sections30and32, a cutout, recess or window34that enable and facilitates viewing of the probe's distal tip18during a surgical procedure (FIG. 3).

Sheath member14is so dimensioned that probe12, when longitudinally inserted into the sheath member, has its distal tip18extending distally the distance De beyond sheath edge portion22. Edge portion24of sheath distal edge20is so spaced from distal probe tip18by the distance Re as to permit effective visualization of the distal tip via cutout, recess or window34.

Sheath member14constitutes a protective sleeve for use particularly with an elongate substantially rigid probe12in a laparoscopic or endoscopic procedure under indirect visualization via an endoscope28(FIG. 3). In a surgical method utilizing sheath or sleeve14, one inserts endoscope28into a patient, and also insert ultrasonic probe12with sheath14. One arranges or orients sheath14about probe12and relative to endoscope28so that distal tip18of the probe is visible through cutout, recess or window34via endoscope28. In other words, one positions probe12, sheath14and endoscope28so that the endoscope is located on the same side of the probe as sheath edge portion24. During the surgical operation, endoscope28is utilized to visualize distal tip18of probe12through cutout, recess or window34, transducer assembly16is operated to generate a standing ultrasonic vibratory wave in probe12, and probe12is manipulated to place distal tip18into contact with target organic tissues OT at surgical site SS.

Probe12may take the form of a cannula, as illustrated inFIG. 1. A coolant such as saline solution may be guided to the surgical site SS via a lumen36between an outer surface of probe12and an inner surface of sheath14. Suction may be applied to a lumen38of probe12, from a proximal end thereof, to remove tissue fragments, spent coolant and other debris from the surgical site SS.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. It is to be noted, for instance, that the principles of the present invention may be applied to surgical instruments other than ultrasonic probes, such as laparoscopic cauterization tools, which may include a sleeve or sheath extending to the distal end of the device with an operative tip protruding from the distal end of the sleeve or sheath during use of the instruments. In addition, surgical instruments in accordance with the invention may be used in open surgery such as wound debridement rather than exclusively in endoscopic operations.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.