Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and remote sensor

• US 10,517,682 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2014
• Issued: 12/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Giordano, James R., Swayze, Jeffrey S., Shelton, IV, Frederick E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ahmed, Mobeen
• Application Number:
  US14/559,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20150090761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,854 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/1222 Packages or dispensers therefor clip magazines incorporated in a clip-applying instrument A61B17/128; for surgical articles A61B50/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00362 Packages or dispensers for MIS instruments A61B2017/0479 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• 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 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 : characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 : characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 : characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 : additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 : with stapling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2053 : Tracking an applied voltage gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2059 : Mechanical position encoders
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 : Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/302 : specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• 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 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 : Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 : Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/04 : Packaging single articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/16 : by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/18 : by liquids or gases B65B55/14 takes precedence

Abstract

A surgical instrument is disclosed including a housing and a tool assembly. The housing includes a power source configured to generate electrical power, a control unit in electrical communication with the power source, and a first element coupled with the control unit. The tool assembly includes a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples and a second element separate from the first element. The control unit is configured to effect wireless transmission of the electrical power from the first element to the second element. The wireless transmission of electrical power energizes the second element from a passive state to an energized state. When in an energized state, the second element is configured to selectively communicate data received from a sensor to the control unit. The tool assembly is remote from the housing. The second element includes a microchip that includes a dynamic memory device and a non-dynamic memory device.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing, comprising;

a power source configured to generate electrical power;

a control unit in electrical communication with the power source; and

a first element coupled with the control unit; and

a tool assembly, comprising;

a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein; and

a second element separate from the first element, wherein the control unit is configured to effect wireless transmission of the electrical power from the first element to the second element, wherein the wireless transmission of electrical power energizes the second element from a passive state to an energized state, wherein when in an energized state, the second element is configured to selectively communicate data received from a sensor to the control unit, wherein the tool assembly is remote from the housing, wherein the second element comprises a microchip, and wherein the microchip comprises a dynamic memory device and a non-dynamic memory device.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to sense a condition of the tool assembly.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a position sensor.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a displacement sensor.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure/load sensor.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a proximity sensor.

2. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing, comprising;

a distal portion;

a power source configured to generate electrical energy;

a control unit in electrical communication with the power source; and

an energy transmitting member coupled to the control unit;

a shaft, comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the shaft is coupled to the distal portion of the housing; and

a tool assembly, comprising;

a proximal portion, wherein the distal end of the shaft is coupled to the proximal portion;

a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein; and

an energy receiving member, wherein the control unit is configured to effect wireless transmission of the electrical energy from the energy transmitting member to the energy receiving member, wherein the wireless transmission of the electrical energy powers the energy receiving member, wherein when powered, the energy receiving member is configured to selectively communicate data received from a sensor to the control unit, wherein the energy receiving member comprises a microchip, and wherein the microchip comprises a dynamic memory device and a non-dynamic memory device.

3. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing, comprising

a power source;

a control unit; and

means for wirelessly transmitting electrical energy generated by the power source; and

a tool assembly, wherein the tool assembly is remote from the housing, the tool assembly comprising;

a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein;

means for receiving the wirelessly transmitted electrical energy;

means for powering an element through the received wirelessly transmitted electrical energy; and

means for communicating information about a condition of the tool assembly to the control unit when the element has been powered by the received wirelessly transmitted electrical energy, wherein the means for communicating information comprises a microchip, and wherein the microchip comprises a dynamic memory device and a non-dynamic memory device.