US 12,220,349 B2
Ultrasonic handpiece with floating horn
John Zhongyu Yan, Irvine, CA (US); John Morgan Bourne, Irvine, CA (US); and Francisco Javier Ochoa, Cudahy, CA (US)
Assigned to Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed by Alcon Inc., Fribourg (CH)
Filed on Feb. 3, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/779,691.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/801,677, filed on Feb. 6, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0246187 A1, Aug. 6, 2020
Int. Cl. A61F 9/007 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 9/00745 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/00199 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00402 (2013.01); A61B 2217/005 (2013.01); A61B 2217/007 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An ultrasonic handpiece comprising:
a housing comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
a working tip extending from the distal end of the housing;
a crystal and horn assembly positioned within the housing, the crystal and horn assembly comprising an ultrasonic horn and a set of piezoelectric crystals that induce vibration of the ultrasonic horn, the ultrasonic horn comprising a proximal end and a distal end, the working tip connected to the distal end of the ultrasonic horn,
wherein an outer surface of the crystal and horn assembly and an inner surface of the housing at least partially define a hollow chamber within the housing,
wherein the ultrasonic horn comprises a plurality of helical grooves configured to introduce torsional movement during vibration of the ultrasonic horn, and
wherein the proximal end of the ultrasonic horn is free to move longitudinally relative to the housing; and
an aspiration luer at least partially disposed through the hollow chamber of the housing and proximal to the set of piezoelectric crystals, wherein:
the aspiration luer is configured to facilitate aspiration through the housing, and
the aspiration luer comprises one or more surfaces configured to directly contact the ultrasonic horn and limit an ability of the proximal end of the ultrasonic horn to rotate relative to the housing.