Laparoscopic clamp load measuring devices
First Claim
1. An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, said end effector comprising:
- a first jaw;
a second jaw, wherein said first jaw and said second jaw are configured to clamp tissue in response to a closing motion applied to said first jaw to move said first jaw between an open position, a partially clamped position, and a fully clamped position;
a strain gauge configured to generate a first strain reading and a final strain reading as the tissue is clamped;
a central processing unit configured to calculate thickness of the tissue by comparing said first strain reading and said final strain reading; and
a cartridge comprising;
a cartridge body configured to be removably supported in said second jaw and defining a cartridge deck surface; and
a protrusion extending from said cartridge deck surface wherein an end of said protrusion comprises a single point on said cartridge body that is closest to said first jaw to focus a load applied to said cartridge toward said strain gauge.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical end effector comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, a strain gauge, and a thickness measurement cartridge is disclosed. The first jaw comprises a first jaw undersurface. The first jaw is selectively movable relative to the second jaw. The strain gauge is supported by the second jaw and configured to communicate with a central processing unit configured to calculate thickness of tissue. The thickness measurement cartridge comprising a cartridge body and a pivot formation. The cartridge body is configured to be removably supported in the second jaw such that a tissue contacting surface thereon faces the first jaw undersurface. The pivot formation on the cartridge body facilitated pivotal movement of the cartridge body relative to the second jaw.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An end effector for use with a surgical instrument, said end effector comprising:
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a first jaw; a second jaw, wherein said first jaw and said second jaw are configured to clamp tissue in response to a closing motion applied to said first jaw to move said first jaw between an open position, a partially clamped position, and a fully clamped position; a strain gauge configured to generate a first strain reading and a final strain reading as the tissue is clamped; a central processing unit configured to calculate thickness of the tissue by comparing said first strain reading and said final strain reading; and a cartridge comprising; a cartridge body configured to be removably supported in said second jaw and defining a cartridge deck surface; and a protrusion extending from said cartridge deck surface wherein an end of said protrusion comprises a single point on said cartridge body that is closest to said first jaw to focus a load applied to said cartridge toward said strain gauge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A surgical end effector, comprising:
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a first jaw comprising a first jaw undersurface; a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is selectively movable relative to said second jaw; a strain gauge supported by said second jaw and configured to communicate with a central processing unit configured to calculate thickness of tissue; and a thickness measurement cartridge, comprising; a cartridge body configured to be removably supported in said second jaw such that a tissue contacting surface thereon faces said first jaw undersurface; and a pivot formation on said cartridge body to facilitate pivotal movement of said cartridge body relative to said second jaw. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A surgical end effector, comprising:
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a first jaw comprising a first jaw undersurface; a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is selectively movable relative to said second jaw; and a thickness measurement cartridge, comprising; a cartridge body configured to be removably supported in said second jaw, said cartridge body defining a deck surface; a strain gauge supported by said cartridge body; and an upstanding flexible probe arm operably coupled to said strain gauge and extending above said deck surface such that said flexible probe arm is proximal to a tissue contact area of said first jaw undersurface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification