Surgical instrument displaying subsequent step of use

• US 10,588,626 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2017
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Overmyer, Mark D., Swensgard, Brett E., Adams, Shane R., Lytle, IV, Thomas W., Leimbach, Richard L., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Houser, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Application Number:
  US15/459,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20170209226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,098 Days
• Field of Search: 2271771, 2271781, 2271761, 227 19
• 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 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• 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 2017/00225 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0805 automatically, e.g. by means of magnetic, optical or photoelectric detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• 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 34/25 User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/05 Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/14018 IN, plc and comparator, error detector, backup, standby plc, switch, update OUT
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a shaft, an end effector extending distally from the shaft, a display, and a system or sensor configured to monitor a status of the surgical instrument. The display is configured to display information pertaining to the detected status of the surgical instrument. In one embodiment, the display displays a subsequent step of operating the surgical instrument. In another embodiment, the display displays a subsequent step of assembling the surgical instrument. The display is additionally configured to enter a low-power mode.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a shaft;

an end effector extending distally from the shaft;

a display;

a processor coupled to the display;

a feedback system coupled to the processor, the feedback system configured to provide feedback as to a status of the surgical instrument; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

cause the display to display directions communicating a subsequent step of use of the surgical instrument according to the status of the surgical instrument; and

transition the display between a low-power mode and a high-power mode according to the status of the surgical instrument.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the subsequent step comprises a next step of operation of the surgical instrument.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the subsequent step comprises a next step of assembly or disassembly of the surgical instrument.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the feedback system comprises an accelerometer configured to detect movement of the surgical instrument, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to cause the display to transition to the low-power mode according to a lack of detection of movement after a predetermined period of time by the accelerometer.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the feedback system comprises an accelerometer configured to detect movement of the surgical instrument, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to cause the display to transition to the high-power mode according to a detection of movement by the accelerometer.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the feedback system is configured to detect user contact with the surgical instrument, and wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to cause the display to transition to the low-power mode upon the surgical instrument detecting user contact.

7. A surgical instrument comprising:

an end effector;

a first modular component releasably connected to a second modular component;

a display;

a processor coupled to the display;

an engagement sensor configured to detect a degree of attachment between the first modular component and the second modular component, the engagement sensor operably connected to the processor;

wherein the degree of attachment comprises a disengaged position, a partially engaged position, and an engaged position; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the surgical instrument to;

cause the display to display instructions corresponding to the degree of attachment;

determine whether the surgical instrument has exceeded a predetermined period of inactivity; and

cause the display to transition to a lower power mode following the predetermined period of inactivity.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the first modular component comprises a handle and the second modular component comprises a shaft, the end effector extending distally from the shaft.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the engagement sensor comprises an electrical contact disposed at an attachment portion between the first modular component and the second modular component.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 7, further comprising an accelerometer operably connected to the processor, and wherein the accelerometer is configured to generate an input according to whether movement is detected.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the accelerometer is configured to detect movement in a plurality of directions, and wherein the accelerometer is configured to generate the input according to whether movement is detected in at least two of the plurality of directions.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the accelerometer is configured to detect movement in a plurality of directions, and wherein the accelerometer is configured to generate the input according to whether movement above a predetermined threshold is detected.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein an input is generated by the surgical instrument according to whether user contact is detected.

14. A surgical instrument comprising:

a shaft;

an end effector extending distally from the shaft;

a display;

a processor coupled to the display;

a feedback system coupled to the processor, the feedback system configured to provide feedback as to an operational status of the surgical instrument; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

present instructions via the display, the instructions communicating a next step of operating the surgical instrument corresponding to the operational status of the surgical instrument; and

transition the display between a low-power mode and a high-power mode according to an activity of the surgical instrument.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, further comprising an accelerometer configured to detect movement of the surgical instrument, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to cause the display to transition to the high-power mode according to a detection of movement by the accelerometer.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 14, further comprising an accelerometer configured to detect movement of the surgical instrument, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to cause the display to transition to the low-power mode according to a lack of detection of movement by the accelerometer over a predetermined period of time.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the feedback system is configured to monitor a configuration of the end effector.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 14, the instructions of the next step of operation corresponding to the operational status of the surgical instrument are displayed in a defined order.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the next step of operation comprises an articulation step, a closure step, a firing step, a firing reset step, a closure reset step, an articulation reset step, and combinations thereof.