Patent ID: 7083589

Claim:
An ultrasonic instrument comprising: a generator that receives electrical energy and converts the electrical energy into mechanical vibrations of ultrasonic energy; a connecting body having a second end connected to said generator to receive the mechanical vibrations of ultrasonic energy from said generator and convey the vibrations to a first end from which the vibrational energy exits, said connecting body having no internal fluid flow passage; a separable coupler threadably, detachably connected to and external of said connecting body first end, said coupler comprising a body having a first end detachably connected to said connecting body first end and a second end to which a work tip proximal end is to be connected, the ultrasonic vibrations being conveyed from said coupler body first end to said coupler body second end, said coupler body also having an internal aspiration fluid flow passage with an inlet at said coupler body second end, and an outlet for said coupler aspiration flow passage that is at the exterior of said connecting body and between said coupler body first and second ends in fluid communication with said coupler body internal aspiration fluid flow passage for receiving aspiration flow force from a source that flows through said aspiration fluid flow passage to remove emulsified material from an operating site; and a work tip having a proximal end connected to said coupler body second end to receive the ultrasonic vibrational energy and a distal end from which the ultrasonic energy is supplied to the operating site to emulsify material, said work tip having an aspiration fluid flow passage that is in communication with said coupler body aspiration fluid flow passage inlet at said coupler body second end, wherein said coupler and said work tip are both detachable from said connecting body first end while leaving said connecting body attached to said generator.