Control systems for surgical instruments

• US 10,617,416 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2017
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Leimbach, Richard L., Overmyer, Mark D., Adams, Shane R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Application Number:
  US15/480,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20170367700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,104 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751, 2271761, 227 19, 2271801, 2271771
• 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 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• 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 2017/00716 simulating physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• 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: 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

Abstract

Surgical instruments and control systems therefor are disclosed. A surgical instrument can comprise: a power circuit comprising a power source and a switch, a microcontroller coupled to the power circuit, a handle comprising an attachment portion, and a control circuit in signal communication with the microcontroller. The attachment portion can comprise a first electrical contact in signal communication with the microcontroller. The control circuit can comprise a sensor configured to detect an attachment state of the attachment portion. The control circuit can communicate the detected attachment state to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller can ignore signals from the first electrical contact when the control circuit communicates a detached state. The attachment portion can comprise a second electrical contact coupled to a second power circuit, and the second power circuit can decouple the second electrical contact and the second power source when the sensor detects the detached state.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a stapling assembly;

a handle assembly, comprising;

a power circuit, comprising;

a power source; and

a switch;

a microcontroller coupled to said power circuit;

an attachment portion; and

a plurality of inputs, comprising

a first electrical input in signal communication with said microcontroller;

a second electrical input; and

a control circuit in signal communication with said microcontroller, wherein said control circuit comprises an attachment sensor configured to detect an attachment state of said attachment portion and said stapling assembly, and wherein said control circuit is configured to communicate the attachment state to said microcontroller;

wherein said attachment sensor is configured to detect a detached attachment state unless said stapling assembly is attached to said attachment portion, wherein said first electrical input is powered down in the detached attachment state, and wherein said second electrical input is powered up in the detached attachment state.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a latch configured to attach said stapling assembly to said attachment portion.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein said latch is operable to switch said attachment sensor between an attached attachment state and the detached attachment state.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said first electrical input comprises a first electrical contact, and wherein said stapling assembly further comprises a second electrical contact.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein said second electrical contact is in communication with said first electrical contact when said attachment sensor detects an attached attachment state.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein there is no electrical connection between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact when said attachment sensor detects the detached attachment state.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a replaceable staple cartridge.

8. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a stapling assembly; and

a handle assembly, comprising;

a power circuit comprising a power source;

a controller coupled to said power circuit;

an attachment portion;

a plurality of inputs, comprising

a first electrical input in signal communication with said controller;

a second electrical input; and

a control circuit in signal communication with said controller, wherein said control circuit comprises an attachment sensor configured to detect an attachment state of said attachment portion and said stapling assembly, wherein said attachment sensor is configured to detect a detached attachment state unless said stapling assembly is attached to said attachment portion, wherein said control circuit is configured to communicate the attachment state to said controller, and wherein said first electrical input is powered down in the detached attachment state, and wherein said second electrical input is powered up in the detached attachment state.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, further comprising a latch configured to attach said stapling assembly to said attachment portion.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein said latch is operable to switch said attachment sensor between an attached attachment state and the detached attachment state.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein said first electrical input comprises a first electrical contact, and wherein said stapling assembly further comprises a second electrical contact.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein said second electrical contact is in communication with said first electrical contact when said attachment sensor detects an attached attachment state.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein there is no electrical connection between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact when said attachment sensor detects the detached attachment state.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 8, further comprising a replaceable staple cartridge.

15. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a stapling assembly;

a handle assembly, comprising;

a power circuit, comprising;

a power source; and

a switch;

a microcontroller coupled to said power circuit;

an attachment portion comprising a plurality of electrical inputs;

a control circuit in signal communication with said microcontroller, wherein said control circuit comprises an attachment sensor configured to detect an attachment state of said attachment portion and said stapling assembly, and wherein said control circuit is configured to communicate the attachment state to said microcontroller;

wherein said attachment sensor is configured to detect a detached attachment state unless said stapling assembly is attached to said attachment portion, and wherein only a portion of said electrical inputs are powered down in the detached attachment state.

16. A surgical system, comprising:

a stapling assembly;

a housing assembly, comprising;

a power circuit in communication with a power source; and

a mounting portion comprising a plurality of electrical contacts;

a controller in communication with said power circuit; and

a control circuit in communication with said controller, wherein said control circuit comprises a mounting sensor configured to detect an attachment state between said mounting portion and said stapling assembly, and wherein said control circuit is configured to communicate the attachment state to said controller,

wherein said mounting sensor is configured to detect an unmounted attachment state unless said stapling assembly is mounted to said mounting portion, and wherein only a portion of said electrical contacts are powered down in the unmounted attachment state.

17. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a stapling assembly;

a housing assembly, comprising;

a power circuit in communication with a power source;

a controller coupled to said power circuit;

an attachment portion; and

a plurality of inputs, comprising

a first electrical contact in signal communication with said controller; and

a second electrical contact; and

a control circuit in signal communication with said controller, wherein said control circuit comprises an attachment sensor configured to detect an attachment state between said attachment portion and said stapling assembly, wherein said attachment sensor is configured to detect a detached attachment state unless said stapling assembly is attached to said attachment portion, wherein said control circuit is configured to communicate the attachment state to said controller, wherein said first electrical contact is powered down in the detached attachment state, and wherein said second electrical contact is powered up in the detached attachment state.