SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument has an end effector and a trigger in communication with the end effector. The surgical instrument also has a first sensor and an externally accessible memory device in communication with the first sensor. The first sensor has an output that represents a first condition of either the trigger or the end effector. The memory device is configured to record the output of the first sensor. In various embodiments, memory device may include an output port and/or a removable storage medium.
1497 Citations
36 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A surgical tool system, comprising:
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a surgical tool operable to staple tissue, the tool comprising; a distal portion including a tissue stapling mechanism; a shaft extending from the distal portion; and a handle; a sensor coupled to the surgical tool; a control system electrically connected to the sensor, wherein the control system calculates sensor information from signals received from the sensor and processes the sensor information into signal commands; and a feedback system including a force actuator coupled to the handle and electrically connected to the control system, wherein the control system communicates the signal commands to the feedback system and the feedback system uses the signal commands to generate feedback relating to the sensor information to the handle. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of providing feedback to a user during a tissue stapling procedure, the method comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a distal portion of a surgical tool during a tissue stapling surgical procedure via at least one sensor mounted on the distal portion of the surgical tool; processing the sensor information; and communicating tactile feedback to a handle of the surgical tool, wherein the tactile feedback relates to the sensor information. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
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35. A surgical tool system, comprising:
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a surgical tool operable to staple tissue, the tool including a distal portion including a tissue stapling mechanism connected to a handle via a shaft; a sensor coupled to the surgical tool; a control system electrically connected to the sensor, wherein the control system calculates sensor information from signals received from the sensor and processes the sensor information into signal commands; and a feedback system including a tactile actuator coupled to the handle and electrically connected to the control system, wherein the control system communicates the signal commands to the feedback system and the feedback system uses the signal commands to generate tactile feedback relating to the sensor information to the handle.
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36. A surgical stapler, comprising:
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a handle; a sensor; a control system electrically connected to the sensor, wherein the control system calculates sensor information from signals received from the sensor and processes the sensor information into signal commands; and a feedback system including a force actuator coupled to the handle and electrically connected to the control system, wherein the control system communicates the signal commands to the feedback system and the feedback system uses the signal commands to generate force feedback relating to the sensor information to the handle.
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Specification