An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an ultrasonically actuated blade or end effector having a treatment portion. The blade can define a central axis and at least one axis which is transverse to the central axis, wherein the transverse axis can lie within a plane which is perpendicular, or normal, to the longitudinal axis and can define a cross-section of the treatment portion. Such a cross-section can include a central portion and a step extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion can comprise a width, and wherein the step can comprise a cutting edge. In at least one embodiment, the cutting edge can be defined by first and second surfaces which define an angle therebetween. In various embodiments, the position of the cutting edge and/or the angle between the cutting edge surfaces can be selected in order to balance the blade with respect to the transverse axis.

A surgical instrument is disclosed including a surgical device including a transducer positioned to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and an end effector positioned distally from the transducer. The surgical instrument further includes a sleeve configured to receive the surgical device and a rail positioned along an interior portion of the sleeve. The surgical device includes a feature for receiving the rail. The surgical device is slidable along the rail.

An ultrasonic surgical device capable of cutting biological tissues such as bone and cartilage. The ultrasonic surgical device includes a static casing, which sheaths an ultrasonic horn, and a lubrication film, which separates the ultrasonic horn and the static casing. The static casing, which also incorporates a plurality of fluid channels to allow passage of fluids along its length and eventual distribution of such fluids at the cutting end and biological tissue interface, inhibits the transfer of heat generated along the ultrasonic horn. The cutting end and the static casing are separated by a flexible joint, which serves to inhibit the transfer of vibrational energy, and consequently heat, from the cutting end to the static casing. As such, the static casing remains stable and can be used both to manipulate the surgical device with greater haptic control and facilitate effective penetration of larger cross-sections of biological tissue.

An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an end effector portion, a data storage component, a reader, and a use control. The shaft assembly extends distally from the body and includes a support portion. The end effector portion is configured to selectively couple with the support portion of the shaft assembly. The data storage component is associated with the end effector portion and contains data uniquely associated with the end effector portion. The reader is adapted to read the data from the data storage component. The use control is adapted to enable operation of the end effector portion if the data meets at least one usage parameter.

A probe is connected to an ultrasonic transducer configured to generate ultrasonic vibration. The probe includes an elongated main body portion, and a cylindrical engagement portion. The main body portion includes is configured to transmit the ultrasonic vibration. The ultrasonic vibration is input to the engagement portion. The engagement portion includes: a connection portion that is connected to the ultrasonic transducer, and a holding cylindrical portion that is continuous to the connection portion, and that holds the proximal end portion of the main body portion.

A surgical instrument is disclosed including a surgical device including a transducer positioned to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and an end effector positioned distally from the transducer. The surgical instrument further includes a sleeve configured to receive the surgical device and a rail positioned along an interior portion of the sleeve. The surgical device includes a feature for receiving the rail. The surgical device is slidable along the rail.

A method of balancing an ultrasonic instrument having an ultrasonically actuated blade is disclosed. The blade includes a body portion and a step portion extending from the body portion. The body portion comprises a first side, a second side, and a width defined between the first and second sides. The step portion includes a first surface, a second surface, and a cutting edge situated intermediate the first and second surfaces. The second surface extends between a first plane including the cutting edge and a second plane which is parallel to the first plane. The first and second surfaces are not parallel and are oriented such that there is an angle defined therebetween. The method comprises the steps of configuring at least a portion of the blade such that a relationship is substantially equal to zero.

An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a first modular assembly including at least one operator input feature an ultrasonic transducer supported by the first modular assembly, and a second modular assembly configured to be removably coupled with the first modular assembly. The second modular assembly includes at least a portion of an end effector extending distally from a distal end portion of the second modular assembly. The instrument includes a mechanical lockout assembly configured to switch between at least an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are partially coupled together such that the operator is physically prevented from activating the instrument using the operator input feature. In the unlocked configuration, the first modular assembly and the second modular assembly are completely coupled together and the operator is able to activate the instrument using the operator input feature.

In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.