SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING AND ADJUSTING POSITIONING AND ORIENTATION OF A SURGICAL DEVICE

• US 20110218550A1
• Filed: 02/10/2011
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ma, Yong
• Application Number:
  US13/024,583
• Publication Number:
  US 20110218550A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/130
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• 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

Abstract

A system and method including an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate member defining a longitudinal axis and configured to rotate relative to the longitudinal axis is presented. The instrument further includes a handle member configured to be attached to the proximal end of the elongate member, the handle member operatively associated with a rotation mechanism. The instrument also includes an end effector configured to be attached to the distal end of the elongate member, the end effector operatively associated with an articulation mechanism and configured to be pivotable throughout a plurality of directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member. A software algorithm is used to identify, track, and control directional movement of the end effector in accordance with rotational movement of the elongate member.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate member defining a longitudinal axis and configured to rotate relative to the longitudinal axis;

a handle member configured to be attached to the proximal end of the elongate member, the handle member operatively associated with a rotation mechanism; and

an end effector configured to be attached to the distal end of the elongate member, the end effector operatively associated with an articulation mechanism and configured to be pivotable throughout a plurality of directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member;

wherein a software algorithm is used to identify, track, and control directional movement of the end effector in accordance with rotational movement of the elongate member.

2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the end effector includes a pair of jaw members.

3. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of directions include vertical displacements and horizontal displacements, the displacements driven by one or more actuators positioned within the handle member.

4. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the handle member includes a drive assembly for actuating the directional movement of the end effector and the rotational movement of the elongate member.

5. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the software algorithm records a first position of the elongate member, a first position of the end effector, and establishes a relationship between the first position of the elongate member and the first position of the end effector.

6. The surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein when the elongate member rotates to a second position, the software algorithm records the second position of the elongate member and compares the second position of the elongate member to the first position of the end effector.

7. The surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein the software algorithm records all position changes of the elongate remember relative to the end effector and, upon an operator command, repositions the end effector and the elongate member to match a predetermined positional reference point.

8. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the software algorithm uses triangulation techniques to reposition the end effector to match a predetermined positional reference point of the elongate member.

9. The surgical instrument according to claim 8, wherein the triangulation techniques involve using one or more angle encoders.

10. The surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the one or more angle encoders are magnetic sensors or potentiometers.

11. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the software algorithm is controlled via a control panel positioned about the handle member.

12. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the software algorithm is wirelessly controlled via an external source.

13. The surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the external source is a computing device.

14. The surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the external source is a computing device positioned in a remote location.

15. A method of using a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

providing an elongate member having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongate member defining a longitudinal axis and configured to rotate relative to the longitudinal axis;

attaching a handle member to the proximal end of the elongate member, the handle member operatively associated with a rotation mechanism; and

attaching an end effector to the distal end of the elongate member, the end effector operatively associated with an articulation mechanism and configured to be pivotable throughout a plurality of directions relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member;

wherein a software algorithm is used to identify, track, and control directional movement of the end effector in accordance with rotational movement of the elongate member.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the end effector includes a pair of jaw members.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the plurality of directions include vertical displacements and horizontal displacements, the displacements driven by one or more actuators positioned within the handle member.

18. The method according to claim 15, further including manipulating a drive assembly for actuating the directional movement of the end effector and the rotational movement of the elongate member.

19. The method according to claim 15, further including recording a first position of the elongate member and a first position of the end effector via the software algorithm, and establishing a relationship between the first position of the elongate member and the first position of the end effector.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein when the elongate member rotates to a second position, the software algorithm records the second position of the elongate member and compares the second position of the elongate member to the first position of the end effector.