Loading unit velocity and position feedback

• US 10,201,347 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2016
• Issued: 02/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ingmanson, Michael, Zemlok, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US15/226,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20160338700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 924 Days
• Field of Search: 2271761
• 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 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• 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 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags

Abstract

A loading unit for a surgical stapling device has a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly, the cartridge assembly including a channel and a staple cartridge having a plurality of surgical staples therein. An axial drive assembly has a clamping member, the clamping member having an upper flange for engaging the anvil assembly, and a lower flange for engaging the channel. The axial drive assembly is movable through the staple cartridge to drive the staples out of the staple cartridge and against the anvil assembly. Mechanical features are defined in the channel for indicating an end of stroke for the axial drive assembly, the mechanical features having a first pattern and a second pattern.

Claims

1. A loading unit for a surgical stapling device, comprising:

a cartridge assembly including;

a channel;

an axial drive assembly having a clamping member, the clamping member having a flange configured to engage the channel; and

at least one mechanical feature defined in the channel for indicating an end of stroke upon engagement by the axial drive assembly, the at least one mechanical feature selected from the group consisting of a bump, a depression, a recess, and combinations thereof;

a motor configured to move the axial drive assembly; and

a controller coupled to the motor and configured to determine the end of stroke based on a change in torque of the motor in response to the clamping member engaging the at least one mechanical feature.

2. The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical feature includes a first mechanical feature and at least a second mechanical feature, the first and second mechanical features having different sizes.

3. The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical feature includes a first mechanical feature and at least a second mechanical feature, the first and second mechanical features having the same sizes.

4. The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical feature includes a first mechanical feature and at least a second mechanical feature, the first and second mechanical features are the same type.

5. The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the at least one mechanical feature includes a first mechanical feature and at least a second mechanical feature, the first and second mechanical features are of different type.

6. The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein a distal end of the channel forms the end of stroke.

7. The loading unit according to claim 1, further comprising a first plurality of mechanical features disposed in a first pattern and a second plurality of mechanical features disposed in a second pattern, wherein the first plurality of mechanical features is closer to a distal end of the channel than the second plurality of mechanical features.

8. The loading unit according to claim 1, further comprising a light sensor configured to detect the at least one mechanical feature.

9. The loading unit according to claim 1, further comprising an anvil assembly coupled to the cartridge assembly, wherein the clamping member is configured to engage the anvil assembly and the channel.

10. The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge assembly further includes a staple cartridge having a plurality of surgical staples therein, the axial drive assembly being movable through the staple cartridge to drive the staples out of the staple cartridge.

11. A loading unit for a surgical stapling device, comprising:

a cartridge assembly including;

a channel;

an axial drive assembly having a clamping member, the clamping member having a flange configured to engage the channel; and

at least one mechanical feature defined in the channel for indicating an end of stroke upon engagement by the axial drive assembly;

a motor configured to move the axial drive assembly; and

a controller coupled to the motor and configured to determine the end of stroke based on a change in torque of the motor in response to the clamping member engaging the at least one mechanical feature.

12. The loading unit according to claim 11, wherein the at least one mechanical feature includes a first mechanical feature and at least a second mechanical feature, the first and second mechanical features having different sizes.

13. The loading unit according to claim 11, wherein the at least one mechanical feature includes a first mechanical feature and at least a second mechanical feature, the first and second mechanical features having the same sizes.

14. The loading unit according to claim 11, wherein a distal end of the channel forms the end of stroke.

15. The loading unit according to claim 11, further comprising a first plurality of mechanical features disposed in a first pattern and a second plurality of mechanical features disposed in a second pattern, wherein the first plurality of mechanical features is closer to a distal end of the channel than the second plurality of mechanical features.

16. The loading unit according to claim 11, further comprising a light sensor configured to detect the at least one mechanical feature.

17. The loading unit according to claim 11, further comprising an anvil assembly coupled to the cartridge assembly, wherein the clamping member is configured to engage the anvil assembly and the channel.

18. The loading unit according to claim 11, wherein the cartridge assembly further includes a staple cartridge having a plurality of surgical staples therein, the axial drive assembly being movable through the staple cartridge to drive the staples out of the staple cartridge.