Surgical tool system with a tool unit that includes a power generating unit and a battery and control module that is releasably attached to the tool unit for energizing and controlling the power generating unit
First Claim
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1. A surgical tool system, said system comprising:
- a tool unit, said tool unit including;
a tool housing, said tool housing constructed so as to isolate components in said tool housing from effects of a sterilization process;
a power generating unit disposed in said tool housing, wherein said power generating unit is configured to emit a signal representative of an operating state of said power generating unit and said tool housing is formed from material through which the signal emitted by said power generating unit can pass therethrough; and
at least one tool contact mounted to said tool housing that is connected to said power generating unit over which energization currents are applied to said power generating unit to cause actuation of said power generating unit;
an energy applicator configured to perform a procedure on living tissue that is attached to said tool housing and connected to said power generating unit for actuation by said power generating unit; and
a battery and control module, said battery and control module including;
a module housing separate from said tool housing, said module housing having a module void space, said module housing constructed so as to isolate components in the module void space from effects of the sterilization process and being shaped to be held by a hand;
a latch feature integral with said module housing that cooperates with said tool housing to removably hold said tool housing to said module housing;
at least one rechargeable cell disposed in the module void space;
at least one module contact mounted to said module housing, said at least one module contact positioned to connect to said at least one tool contact when said tool housing is connected to the surgical tool unit power generating unit;
a user actuated switch mounted to said module housing;
at least one first sensor disposed in the module void space at a location wherein;
said at least one first sensor is positioned in the module void space so that said at least one first sensor can receive the signal emitted by said power generating unit of said tool unit when said tool housing is held to said module housing;
said at least one first sensor is configured to output a first sensor signal based on the monitored signal; and
said module housing, in the vicinity of said first sensor, is formed from material through which the signals from said power generating unit can pass therethrough without being distorted to a level that results in operation of said at least one first sensor being adversely affected;
at least one second sensor disposed in the module void space, said at least one second sensor configured to monitor a state of said switch and to, based on a state of said switch, output a second sensor signal; and
a controller disposed in the module void space wherein said controller receives the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal and selectively connects said at least one rechargeable cell to said at least one module contact so as to regulate outputting of energization currents from said at least one rechargeable cell through said at least one module contact to said power generating unit, said controller being configured to, based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, regulate the outputting of the energization currents.
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Abstract
A battery and control module to which a powered surgical tool is releasably attached. Internal to the module there is: a cell for energizing the tool; a sensor for monitoring an operational state of the tool; a sensor for monitoring a trigger external to the module; and a control circuit. Based on the signals output by the sensors, the control circuit selectively applies energization signals from the cell to the power generating unit internal to the surgical tool. In some versions of the invention, the trigger is attached to the module.
598 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A surgical tool system, said system comprising:
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a tool unit, said tool unit including; a tool housing, said tool housing constructed so as to isolate components in said tool housing from effects of a sterilization process; a power generating unit disposed in said tool housing, wherein said power generating unit is configured to emit a signal representative of an operating state of said power generating unit and said tool housing is formed from material through which the signal emitted by said power generating unit can pass therethrough; and at least one tool contact mounted to said tool housing that is connected to said power generating unit over which energization currents are applied to said power generating unit to cause actuation of said power generating unit; an energy applicator configured to perform a procedure on living tissue that is attached to said tool housing and connected to said power generating unit for actuation by said power generating unit; and a battery and control module, said battery and control module including; a module housing separate from said tool housing, said module housing having a module void space, said module housing constructed so as to isolate components in the module void space from effects of the sterilization process and being shaped to be held by a hand; a latch feature integral with said module housing that cooperates with said tool housing to removably hold said tool housing to said module housing; at least one rechargeable cell disposed in the module void space; at least one module contact mounted to said module housing, said at least one module contact positioned to connect to said at least one tool contact when said tool housing is connected to the surgical tool unit power generating unit; a user actuated switch mounted to said module housing; at least one first sensor disposed in the module void space at a location wherein; said at least one first sensor is positioned in the module void space so that said at least one first sensor can receive the signal emitted by said power generating unit of said tool unit when said tool housing is held to said module housing; said at least one first sensor is configured to output a first sensor signal based on the monitored signal; and said module housing, in the vicinity of said first sensor, is formed from material through which the signals from said power generating unit can pass therethrough without being distorted to a level that results in operation of said at least one first sensor being adversely affected; at least one second sensor disposed in the module void space, said at least one second sensor configured to monitor a state of said switch and to, based on a state of said switch, output a second sensor signal; and a controller disposed in the module void space wherein said controller receives the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal and selectively connects said at least one rechargeable cell to said at least one module contact so as to regulate outputting of energization currents from said at least one rechargeable cell through said at least one module contact to said power generating unit, said controller being configured to, based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, regulate the outputting of the energization currents. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A surgical tool system, said system comprising:
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a tool unit, said tool unit including; a tool housing, said tool housing having a proximal end and being constructed so as to isolate components therein from effects of a sterilization process; a power generating unit disposed in said tool housing, wherein;
said power generating unit is configured to emit a signal representative of an operating state of said power generating unit and said tool housing is formed from material through which the signal emitted by said power generating unit can pass therethrough; andat least one tool contact mounted to said tool housing that is connected to said power generating unit over which energization currents are applied to said power generating unit to cause actuation of said power generating unit; an energy applicator configured to perform a procedure on living tissue that is attached to said tool housing and connected to said power generating unit for actuation by said power generating unit; and a battery and control module, said battery and control module including; a module housing separate from said tool housing, said module housing having a module void space, said module housing constructed to isolate the module void space from effects of the sterilization process and being shaped to be held by a hand; a latch feature integral with said module housing that cooperates with said tool housing to removably hold said tool housing to said module housing; at least one rechargeable cell disposed in the module void space, said at least one rechargeable cell being positioned within the module void space so that, when said tool housing is held to said module housing, said at least one rechargeable cell is at least partially distal to the proximal end of said tool housing; at least one module contact mounted to said module housing, said at least one module contact positioned to connect to said at least one tool contact; a user actuated switch mounted to said module housing; at least one first sensor disposed in the module void space, said at least one first sensor configured to;
monitor a signal emitted by said power generating unit of said tool unit and output a first sensor signal based on the monitored signal;said module housing, in the vicinity of said first sensor, is formed from material through which the signals from said power generating unit can pass therethrough without being distorted to a level that results in operation of said at least one first sensor being adversely affected; at least one second sensor disposed in the module void space, said at least one second sensor configured to monitor a state of said switch and to, based on the state of said switch, output a second sensor signal; and a controller disposed in the module void space wherein said controller receives the first sensor signal and the second signal and that selectively connects said at least one rechargeable cell to said at least one module contact so as to regulate outputting of energization currents from said at least one rechargeable cell through said at least one module contact to said power generating unit, said controller being configured to, based on the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal, regulate the outputting of the energization signals from said at least one rechargeable cell to said power generating unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification