Authentication and information system for reusable surgical instruments

• US 10,420,551 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2017
• Issued: 09/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Calderoni, Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Application Number:
  US15/607,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20180344315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 2271761, 2271751, 227 19, 2271781, 2271791, 2271801
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00225 Systems for controlling multiple different instruments, e.g. microsurgical systems
• 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 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• 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 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/038 during shipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
• 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: H01R 12/57 surface mounting terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/721 cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a handle having a handle frame, a microcontroller having at least one program and memory, and a handle interface supported by the handle frame and in electrical communication with the microcontroller. The instrument further includes a loading unit having a body configured for operative coupling to the handle frame of the handle, and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the body and configured to perform a surgical task. A bracket is mounted to the loading unit and includes a microchip having at least one of authentication data and identification data relating to the loading unit.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle including;

a handle frame;

a microcontroller having at least one program and memory; and

a handle interface supported by the handle frame and in electrical communication with the microcontroller; and

a loading unit including;

a body configured for operative coupling to the handle frame of the handle, and defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends; and

an end effector coupled to the distal end of the body, the end effector configured to perform a surgical task; and

a bracket mounted to the loading unit, the bracket including a microchip at least partially embedded within the bracket, and having at least one of authentication data and identification data relating to the loading unit, the bracket including a bracket interface in communication with the microchip, the bracket interface configured for electrical coupling with the handle interface of the handle.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the microchip of the bracket includes data selected from the group consisting of cartridge size, staple arrangement, staple length, clamp-up distance, date of manufacture, expiration date, compatibility characteristics, unique identifier, and number of uses.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the bracket is mounted to a linear surgical stapling loading unit.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the bracket is mounted to a circular stapling loading unit.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the bracket is releasably mounted to the loading unit.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the handle includes first and second handle interfaces in communication with the microcontroller, the first handle interface configured for electrical coupling with a bracket interface of a first bracket of a first loading unit and the second handle interface configured for electrical coupling to a bracket interface of a second bracket of a second loading unit.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6 wherein each of the first and second brackets includes a microchip.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7 wherein the first loading unit is a single use loading unit (SULU) and the second loading unit is a multiuse loading unit (MULU).