Electrically Self-Powered Surgical Instrument With Cryptographic Identification of Interchangeable Part

• US 20080185419A1
• Filed: 02/20/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Palmer, Matthew A., Smith, Kevin W., Deville, Derek Dee, Rivera, Carlos, Bales, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,627,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/179.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• 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 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/08021 of the patient or his organs
• 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 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/10 with particular housing, physical features or manual controls

Abstract

A surgical instrument, includes a surgical end effector having a receiving portion for removably receiving therein an interchangeable part. The receiving portion has a communication connection. A handle connected to the end effector actuates the end effector. The handle has a controller electrically connected to the communication connection for authenticating the interchangeable part when placed at the end effector. An interchangeable part is removably connected to the receiving portion and has an encryption device electrically removably connected to the communication connection when placed at the receiving portion. The encryption device authenticates the interchangeable part when queried by the electric controller.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having a receiving portion for removably receiving therein an interchangeable part, said receiving portion having a communication connection;

a handle connected to said end effector for actuating said end effector, said handle having a controller electrically connected to said communication connection for authenticating said interchangeable part; and

an interchangeable part removably connected to said receiving portion and having an encryption device electrically removably connected to said communication connection when at said receiving portion, said encryption device being programmed to authenticate said interchangeable part when said part is at said receiving portion.

2. The instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of said interchangeable parts forming an inventory, each of said parts having a unique identifier in said inventory and, after at least a partial use of one of said parts, said encryption device associating a used status with said identifier of said one part.

3. The instrument according to claim 2, wherein said used status of said one part prevents subsequent use of said one part with said end effector.

4. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said encryption device has a printed-circuit-board footprint of less than 50 mm².

5. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said encryption device has a microprocessor.

6. The instrument according to claim 5, wherein:

said controller has a power supply;

one wire forms said electrical connection between said communication connection and said controller;

said encryption device is a 1-wire device;

powered by said power supply through said one wire; and

receiving data from and transmitting data to said controller through said one wire; and

said encryption device and said controller share a common ground.

7. The instrument according to claim 6, wherein said controller has a circuit board with a second microprocessor connected to said microprocessor through said one wire.

8. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein;

said part has a seated position in said receiving portion and an unseated position with respect to said receiving portion; and

said electrical connection between said encryption device and said communication connection exists to allow authentication of said part only when said part is in said seated position.

9. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having;

at least one actuation assembly to effect a surgical procedure when actuated; and

a receiving portion for removably receiving therein an interchangeable part, said receiving portion having a communication connection;

a handle connected to said end effector for actuating said actuation assembly, said handle having a controller electrically connected to said communication connection for authenticating said interchangeable part; and

an interchangeable part removably connected to said receiving portion and having a 1-wire encryption device electrically removably connected to said communication connection when at said receiving portion, said encryption device cryptographically authenticating said interchangeable part when said part is at said receiving portion.

10. The instrument according to claim 9, further comprising a plurality of said interchangeable parts forming an inventory, each of said parts having a unique identifier in said inventory and, after at least a partial use of one of said parts, said encryption device associating a used status with said identifier of said one part.

11. The instrument according to claim 10, wherein said used status of said one part prevents subsequent use of said one part with said end effector.

12. The instrument according to claim 9, wherein said encryption device has a printed-circuit-board footprint of less than 50 mm².

13. The instrument according to claim 9, wherein said encryption device has a microprocessor.

14. The instrument according to claim 13, wherein:

said controller has a power supply;

one wire forms said electrical connection between said communication connection and said controller;

said encryption device is powered by said power supply through said one wire and receives data from and transmits data to said controller through said one wire; and

said encryption device and said controller share a common ground.

15. The instrument according to claim 14, wherein said controller has a circuit board with a second microprocessor connected to said microprocessor through said one wire.

16. The instrument according to claim 9, wherein:

said part has a seated position in said receiving portion and an unseated position with respect to said receiving portion; and

said electrical connection between said encryption device and said communication connection exists to allow authentication of said part only when said part is in said seated position.

17. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having;

at least one actuation assembly to effect a surgical procedure when actuated; and

a receiving portion for removably receiving therein an interchangeable part, said receiving portion having a communication connection;

a handle connected to said end effector for actuating said actuation assembly, said handle having;

a controller with a first microprocessor electrically connected to said communication connection through one wire for authenticating said interchangeable part;

a power supply electrically connected to said controller for powering at least said controller;

an interchangeable part.