END EFFECTOR IDENTIFICATION BY MECHANICAL FEATURES

• US 20100211053A1
• Filed: 05/04/2010
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ross, Adam, Zemlok, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,733,614 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/1
• 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 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• 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 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 Calibration or performance testing
• 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 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/00 Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a tool assembly, the loading adapted to be coupled to the body portion. The instrument also includes a sensor tube movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the loading unit and a load switch coupled to a microcontroller. The load switch is adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the loading unit being inserted into the body portion.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis;

a loading unit, the loading unit including a tool assembly, the loading adapted to be coupled to the body portion;

a sensor tube movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the loading unit; and

a load switch coupled to a microcontroller, wherein the load switch is adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the loading unit being inserted into the body portion.

2. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein upon actuation, the load switch signals the microprocessor to activate the surgical instrument.

3. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the sensor tube may only be engaged by a loading unit including an articulating tool assembly.

4. A surgical instrument according to claim 3, further comprising:

an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly.

5. A surgical instrument according to claim 4, wherein upon engagement by the loading unit including the articulating tool assembly, the sensor tube actuates the load switch, which enables the articulation mechanism.

6. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis, the body portion having a distal end adapted to releasably engage both articulating and non-articulating loading unit types;

an articulation mechanism configured to articulate an articulating tool assembly coupled to an articulating loading unit;

a sensor tube movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the articulating loading unit; and

a load switch coupled to a microcontroller and adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the articulating loading unit, wherein upon actuation, the load switch signals the microprocessor to activate the articulation mechanism.

7. A surgical instrument according to claim 6, the sensing tube being movable to a first position in response to engagement of a non-articulating loading unit with the body portion and to a second position in response to engagement of the articulating loading unit with the body portion.

8. A surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein movement of the sensing tube to the second position engages the load switch.

9. A surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein movement of the sensing tube to the first position signals the microprocessor to activate the surgical instrument without the activation of the articulation mechanism.

10. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis, the body portion having a distal end adapted to releasably engage a plurality of loading unit types;

a sensor tube movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage each of the plurality of loading unit types and to move a predetermined distance in response thereto; and

a variable loading unit sensor adapted to determine a type of a loading unit engaged with the body portion based on the predetermined distance the sensor tube has been displaced.

11. A surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the variable loading unit sensor includes a potentiometer electrically coupled to a contact that is coupled to the sensor tube, the potentiometer is configured to measure a sensor signal reflective the predetermined distance and to transmit the sensor signal to a microcontroller configured to determined a type of a loading unit engaged with the body portion based on the predetermined distance the sensor tube has been displaced.

12. A surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the variable loading unit sensor includes a linear variable differential transducer disposed about the sensor tube, the linear variable differential transducer configured to measure a sensor signal reflective the predetermined distance and to transmit the sensor signal to a microcontroller configured to determine a type of a loading unit engaged with the body portion based on the predetermined distance the sensor tube has been displaced.

13. A surgical instrument according to claim 10, further comprising:

an articulation mechanism configured to articulate an articulating tool assembly coupled to an articulating loading unit, the articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a proximal end, the articulating tool assembly being movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis.

14. A surgical instrument according to claim 13, further comprising:

a microcontroller coupled to the variable loading unit sensor, wherein the microcontroller is configured to adjust at least one operating parameter of the instrument based on the type of a loading unit engaged with the body portion.

15. A surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from the group consisting of firing stroke length, firing speed and degree of articulation.

16. A surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to activate the articulation mechanism when a loading unit is of articulating type.