Surgical instrument system configured to detect resistive forces experienced by a tissue cutting implement

• US 10,052,100 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2014
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Morgan, Jerome R., Shelton, IV, Frederick E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tecco, Andrew M
• Application Number:
  US14/308,927
• Publication Number:
  US 20140296874A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,524 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0053 Loading magazines or sutures into applying tools
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 : characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 : characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 : transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 : with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00297 : Means for providing haptic feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2059 : Mechanical position encoders
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/302 : specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/303 : specifically adapted for manipulations within body lumens, e.g. within lumen of gut, spine, or blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0805 : automatically, e.g. by means of magnetic, optical or photoelectric detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/20 : Surgical navigation systems; Devices for tracking or guiding surgical instruments, e.g. for frameless stereotaxis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 : User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/37 : Master-slave robots A61B34/35 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 : Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/73 : Manipulators for magnetic surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles

Abstract

A surgical instrument disclosed herein comprises an elongate channel, a staple cartridge operably supported in the elongate channel, and an anvil movably supported relative to the elongate channel. The instrument further comprises a tissue cutting implement movable relative to the elongate channel, a drive shaft operably interfacing with the tissue cutting implement for transmitting motion to the tissue cutting implement, and an electric motor comprising a rotatable output operably engaged with the drive shaft. The instrument further comprises, one, a controller configured to control the electric motor and, two, a sensor configured to detect resistive forces experienced by the tissue cutting implement as the tissue cutting implement is driven through tissue clamped between the staple cartridge and the anvil, wherein the sensor is in signal communication with the controller.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

an elongated channel configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein;

an anvil movably supported relative to said elongated channel and being movable to an open position relative to a staple cartridge positioned within said elongated channel upon the application of an opening motion to said anvil, said anvil being movable to a closed position relative to the staple cartridge upon the application of a closing motion to said anvil; and

a tissue cutting implement movable relative to said elongated channel;

a shaft assembly connected to said end effector, said shaft assembly comprising a drive shaft operably interfacing with said tissue cutting implement for transmitting motion to said tissue cutting implement;

a gear drive train operably interfacing with said drive shaft;

a motor for actuating said gear drive train;

controlling means for controlling said motor; and

communicating means for communicating resistive forces experienced by said tissue cutting implement to said controlling means as said tissue cutting implement is driven through tissue clamped between the staple cartridge and said anvil.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising said staple cartridge.

3. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongate channel;

a staple cartridge operably supported in said elongate channel;

an anvil movably supported relative to said elongate channel, wherein said anvil is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to said staple cartridge;

a tissue cutting implement movable relative to said elongate channel;

a shaft assembly connected to said elongate channel, said shaft assembly comprising a drive shaft operably interfacing with said tissue cutting implement for transmitting motion to said tissue cutting implement;

an electric motor comprising a rotatable output, wherein said drive shaft is operably engaged with said rotatable output;

a controller configured to control said electric motor; and

a sensor configured to detect resistive forces experienced by said tissue cutting implement as said tissue cutting implement is driven through tissue clamped between said staple cartridge and said anvil, wherein said sensor is in signal communication with said controller.

4. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongate channel;

a staple cartridge operably supported in said elongate channel;

an anvil movably supported relative to said elongate channel, wherein said anvil is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to said staple cartridge;

a firing drive, comprising;

a tissue cutting implement movable relative to said elongate channel;

a drive shaft operably interfacing with said tissue cutting implement for transmitting motion to said tissue cutting implement;

an electric motor comprising a rotatable output, wherein said drive shaft is operably engaged with said rotatable output; and

a controller configured to control said electric motor; and

a sensor configured to detect resistive loads experienced by said firing drive as said tissue cutting implement is driven through tissue clamped between said staple cartridge and said anvil, wherein said sensor is in signal communication with said controller.