SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CHARGING DEVICES

• US 20120116265A1
• Filed: 10/18/2011
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Houser, Kevin L., Yates, David C., Willis, John W., Zingman, Aron O., Korvick, Donna L., Madan, Ashvani K.
• Application Number:
  US13/275,495
• Publication Number:
  US 20120116265A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• 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 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/293 with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 : Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 : Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 : Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/011 : comprising device for correcting geometrical aberrations, distortion
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 : Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0025 : Sequential battery discharge in systems with a plurality of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0063 : with circuits adapted for supplying loads from the battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007 : Regulation of charging or discharging current or voltage

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a first power source and a second power source. The first power source is configured to deliver power to a surgical instrument at a first rate of discharge. The second power source is configured to deliver power to the first power source at a second rate of discharge. The first power source and the second power source are positioned within the surgical instrument. The first power source and the second power source are further configured to communicate with a control module. The control module may rely on power from the first power source to drive an end effector of the surgical instrument. The end effector may comprise a harmonic/ultrasonic blade, RF electrosurgical electrodes, powered cutting/stapling features, and/or various other types of components.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a surgical instrument;

(b) a first power source in communication with the surgical instrument, wherein the first power source is configured to deliver power to the surgical instrument, wherein the first power source is operable to be placed in the surgical instrument such that at least a portion of the first power source is contained within the surgical instrument, wherein the first power source has a first discharge rate;

(c) a second power source in communication with the first power source, wherein the second power source is configured to deliver power to the first power source, wherein the second power source has a second discharge rate; and

(d) a control module, wherein the first power source and the second power source are operable to communicate with the control module, wherein the control module is operable to use the second power source to charge the first power source.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first power source comprises a super capacitor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator operable to show the charge status of the first power source.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first discharge rate is faster than the second discharge rate.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switch operable to trigger the delivery of power to the first power source.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second power source is configured to continually deliver power to the first power source.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first power source and the second power source are sealed within the surgical instrument.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a battery door configured to allow the second power source to be removed from the surgical instrument.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switch configured to control the delivery of power to the first power source, wherein the switch is positioned on the surgical instrument proximate to a handle assembly of the surgical instrument.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second power source is configured to provide power for the surgical instrument.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first power source is configured to supplement the power provided by the second power source.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first power source is configured to be charged by excess power discharge of the second power source.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises an ultrasonic surgical instrument having a harmonic blade and an ultrasonic transducer in communication with at least the first power source.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first power source comprises a rechargeable lithium ion battery.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises an RF electrosurgical instrument.

16. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a surgical instrument configured to deliver energy to tissue;

(b) a first power source in communication with the surgical instrument, wherein the first power source is operable to deliver power to the surgical instrument, wherein the first power source is configured to deliver power to the surgical instrument at a high rate of discharge; and

(c) a second power source in communication with the surgical instrument, wherein the second power source is operable to deliver power to the first power source, wherein the second power source is configured to deliver power at a lower rate of discharge than the first power source, wherein the surgical instrument is configured to hold the first power source and the second power source.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first power source comprises a super capacitor.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second power source is further operable to deliver power to the surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument has a first power demand state, a second power demand state, and a third power demand state,

wherein the second power source is operable to charge the first power source when the surgical instrument is in the first power demand state,

wherein the second power source is operable to simultaneously charge the first power source and deliver power to the surgical instrument when the surgical instrument is in the second power demand state, and

wherein the second power source and the first power source are operable to both deliver power to the surgical instrument when the surgical instrument is in the third power demand state.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a power source door, wherein the second power source is removable through the power source door.

20. A method for delivering power to a surgical instrument using a first power source and a second power source, wherein the first power source is configured to deliver power to the surgical instrument at a high rate of discharge, wherein the second power source is configured to deliver power to the first power source, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a switch operable to control the delivery of power from the second power source to the first power source, the method comprising:

(a) actuating the switch to transfer power from the second power source to the first power source;

(b) powering the surgical instrument with the first power source;

(c) operating the surgical instrument;

(d) determining that the first power source requires additional power; and

(e) transferring power from the second power source to the first power source to continue operating the surgical instrument.