Surgical instrument including a control system

• US 10,542,974 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2017
• Issued: 01/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Yates, David C., Huitema, Thomas W., Shelton, IV, Frederick E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A
• Application Number:
  US15/692,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20180064437A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 227 19, 2271752, 2271761, 2271801, 606 42, 606139, 606153, 606219
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3205 Excision instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/124 switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a firing member, an elongate shaft, and a handle is disclosed. The end effector comprises an anvil, a channel, and a staple cartridge. The firing member comprises a first camming member configured to engage the anvil during a staple firing stroke, a second camming member configured to engage the channel during the staple firing stroke, and a cutting member. The handle comprises a motor configured to output a rotary motion, a power source, a control system configured to control the speed of the rotary motion, a rotary drive member, and a control system. The firing member is operably responsive to the rotation of the rotary drive member. Torque is output from the motor to the rotary drive member. The control system is configured to limit the output from the motor to the rotary drive member.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

an anvil;

a channel; and

a staple cartridge positioned in said channel;

a firing member configured to move within said end effector during a staple firing stroke, wherein said firing member comprises;

a first camming member configured to engage said anvil during said staple firing stroke;

a second camming member configured to engage said channel during said staple firing stroke; and

a cutting member configured to cut patient tissue during said staple firing stroke;

an elongate shaft, wherein said end effector extends from said elongate shaft; and

a handle, wherein said elongate shaft extends from said handle, and wherein said handle comprises;

an electric motor configured to output a rotary motion;

a power source configured to supply power to said electric motor;

a control system configured to control the speed of said rotary motion;

a rotary drive member, wherein said firing member is operably responsive to the rotation of said rotary drive member; and

a control system, wherein torque is output from said electric motor to said rotary drive member when said firing member is under a first loading condition, wherein said control system is configured to limit the output from said motor to said rotary drive member when said firing member is under a second loading condition, and wherein said second loading condition is greater than said first loading condition.

2. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

an anvil;

a channel; and

a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples;

an I-beam configured to move distally within said end effector during an actuation stroke, wherein said I-beam comprises;

an upper lateral extension configured to engage said anvil during said actuation stroke;

a lower lateral extension configured to engage said channel during said actuation stroke; and

a cutting member configured to cut patient tissue during said actuation stroke;

an elongate shaft, wherein said end effector extends from said elongate shaft; and

a handle, wherein said elongate shaft extends from said handle, and wherein said handle comprises;

a rotary drive member, wherein said I-beam is operably responsive to said rotary drive member;

a motor configured to output rotary motion and force to said rotary drive member;

a power source configured to supply power to said motor;

a control system configured to control the speed of said rotary motion; and

means for limiting the force supplied by said motor to said I-beam.

3. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw; and

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;

a firing member configured to move through said end effector during a firing stroke in response to an actuation force, wherein said firing member comprises;

a first camming member configured to engage said first jaw during said firing stroke;

a second camming member configured to engage said second jaw during said firing stroke; and

a cutting member configured to cut patient tissue during said firing stroke;

an elongate shaft, wherein said end effector extends from said elongate shaft; and

a handle, wherein said elongate shaft extends from said handle, and wherein said handle comprises;

a rotary drive member, wherein said firing member is operably responsive to said rotary drive member;

a motor configured to output a rotary motion, wherein said motor is further configured to supply torque to said rotary drive member;

a power source configured to supply power to said motor; and

a control system configured to control the speed of said rotary motion and limit the supply of torque from said motor to said rotary drive member such that the actuation force applied to said firing member during said firing stroke is limited.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3, further comprising a staple cartridge.

5. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a first jaw;

a second jaw; and

a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples;

an I-beam configured to move distally within said end effector during an actuation stroke, wherein said I-beam comprises;

a first lateral extension configured to engage said first jaw during said actuation stroke;

a second lateral extension configured to engage said second jaw during said actuation stroke; and

a cutting member configured to cut patient tissue during said actuation stroke;

an elongate shaft, wherein said end effector extends from said elongate shaft; and

a housing assembly, wherein said elongate shaft extends from said housing assembly, and wherein said housing assembly comprises;

a rotary drive member, wherein said I-beam is operably responsive to said rotary drive member;

a motor configured to output rotary motion and force to said rotary drive member;

a control system configured to control the speed of said rotary motion; and

means for limiting the force supplied by said motor to said I-beam.

6. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw; and

a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;

a firing member configured to move through said end effector during a firing stroke in response to an actuation force, wherein said firing member comprises;

a first camming member configured to engage said first jaw during said firing stroke;

a second camming member configured to engage said second jaw during said firing stroke; and

a cutting member configured to cut patient tissue during said firing stroke;

an elongate shaft, wherein said end effector extends from said elongate shaft; and

a housing assembly, wherein said elongate shaft extends from said housing assembly, and wherein said housing assembly comprises;

a rotary drive member, wherein said firing member is operably responsive to said rotary drive member;

a motor configured to output a rotary motion, wherein said motor is further configured to supply torque to said rotary drive member;

a power input configured to transmit power to said motor; and

a control system configured to control the speed of said rotary motion and limit the torque to said rotary drive member from said motor such that the actuation force applied to said firing member during said firing stroke is limited.