Authentication and information system for reusable surgical instruments

• US 10,303,641 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2018
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Collins, Ethan, Hryb, John, Durant, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Alrobaye, Idriss N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lewis-Taylor, Dayton
• Application Number:
  US16/160,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20190050364A1
• Time in Patent Office: 225 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4221 being an input/output bus, e.g. ISA bus, EISA bus, PCI bus, SCSI bus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4282 on a serial bus, e.g. I2C bus, SPI bus on daisy chain buses G06F13/4247
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

An authentication and information system for use in a surgical stapling system includes a microprocessor configured to demultiplex data from a plurality of components in the surgical system. The authentication and information system can include one wire chips and a coupling assembly with a communication connection.

Claims

1. A method of authenticating first and second components of a surgical system, the method comprising:

receiving a first authentication signal of a first component from a first microchip at a second microchip over a single wire bus of the second microchip which interconnects the first and second microchips;

switching a ground wire of the second microchip OFF with a microprocessor to select a transmit mode of the second microchip after receiving the first authentication signal, the microprocessor interconnected with the second microchip via a second bus and the ground wire; and

transmitting a first data signal from the second microchip to the first microchip over the single wire bus after switching the ground wire OFF.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein receiving the first authentication signal from the first microchip includes receiving the first authentication signal at the microprocessor over the second bus.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein transmitting the second authentication signal includes the microprocessor transmitting the second authentication signal to the second microchip over the second bus.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting and receiving signals between the second microchip and the microprocessor over the second bus.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the microprocessor multiplexes signals over the second bus.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising switching the ground wire ON with the microprocessor to select a receive mode of the second microchip.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein switching the ground wire ON occurs after transmitting the second authentication signal.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising receiving a second authentication signal from the first microchip at the second microchip over the single wire bus.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising switching the ground wire OFF and transmitting a second data signal from the second microchip to the first microchip after receiving the second authentication signal.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the first authentication signal is from a first component in communication with the first microchip and the second authentication signal is from a second component in communication with the first microchip.

11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a second authentication signal from a third microchip at the second microchip, the second and third microchips interconnected by the single wire bus of the second microchip.

12. A surgical system, comprising:

a handle assembly;

an adapter assembly releaseably coupled to the handle assembly;

a loading unit having a tool assembly;

a loading unit chip disposed within the loading unit, the loading unit chip storing data indicative of one or more properties of the tool assembly; and

a controller disposed within the handle assembly and storing a program, the controller including a microprocessor in communication with the loading unit chip over a single wire bus, the microprocessor including a ground wire and configured to switch the loading unit chip between a receive mode and a transmit mode by switching the ground wire between ON and OFF positions33.

13. The surgical system according to claim 12, wherein the microprocessor is configured to multiplex data from the loading unit chip.

14. The surgical system according to claim 12, wherein the controller includes a controller chip connected to the microprocessor via a second bus and the ground wire and in communication with the loading unit chip over the single wire bus.

15. The surgical system according to claim 14, wherein the microprocessor is configured to switch the controller chip between a receive mode and a transmit mode by switching the ground wire between ON and OFF positions.

16. The surgical system according to claim 14, wherein the second bus is a one-wire bus.

17. The surgical system according to claim 12, wherein the one or more properties of the tool assembly includes whether the tool assembly is articulable relative to the loading unit.

18. The surgical system according to claim 17, wherein the controller reads the data and prevents actuation of an articulation link in the adapter assembly and/or loading unit if the data indicates that the tool assembly is not articulatable.

19. The surgical system according to claim 12, wherein the adapter includes an adapter chip in communication with the microprocessor over the single wire bus, the adapter chip storing data indicative of one or more properties of the adapter.

20. The surgical system according to claim 19, wherein the microprocessor is configured to switch the adapter chip between a receive mode and a transmit mode by switching the ground wire between ON and OFF positions.