Jonathan C Tuttle

US Patent:

20020103438, Aug 1, 2002

Filed:

Jan 31, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/774908

Inventors:

Michael Cronin - Cincinnati OH, US
Jean Beaupre - Blue Ash OH, US
Lee Reichel - Springboro OH, US
Jonathan Tuttle - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

Ethicon Endo-Surgery - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

A61B008/14

US Classification:

600/459000

Abstract:

A connection union and method for securing together first and second components of an ultrasonic waveguide or blade. The first and second components of the ultrasonic waveguide or blade are formed as complementary components which engage each other with a complementary fitting. Then a compressed fit over the connection union is formed by an electromagnetic metal forming operation which compressively deforms a female coupling member over the connection union. The female coupling member can comprise a separate sleeve which is compressed over the connection union by the electromagnetic metal forming operation. Alternatively, the female coupling member can comprise a terminal end of one of the first and second components which includes a longitudinally extending recess which forms an outer circumferentially extending sleeve which is compressed over the connection union by the electromagnetic metal forming operation. In several embodiments, the first and second components are butted together, and each butted end of the first and second components includes at least one circumferentially extending ridge, around which the female coupling member is deformed during the electromagnetic metal forming operation to form an undercut in the female coupling member. In disclosed embodiments, the first component comprises the shaft of an ultrasonic waveguide or blade and the second component comprises a distal tip end of the ultrasonic waveguide such as an end-effector.