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

• US 20140224856A1
• Filed: 12/02/2013
• Published: 08/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Smith, Kevin W., Bales, Thomas O. Jr., Rivera, Carlos, Palmer, Matthew A., Devill, Derek Dee
• Granted Patent: US 9,662,116 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• 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 17/1114 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 2017/00017 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 for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• 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 2017/2931 with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

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, the receiving portion having a communication connection;

a handle connected to the surgical end effector and having a controller, the controller being electrically connected to the communication connection and having a power supply; and

an interchangeable part shaped to be removably connected to the receiving portion and having an encryption device electrically removably connected to the communication connection and powered by the power supply when at the receiving portion.

2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the handle is operable to actuate the end effector.

3. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the encryption device is programmed to authenticate the interchangeable part when the interchangeable part is at the receiving portion.

4. The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the controller is operable to authenticate the interchangeable part.

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

6. The surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein:

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

the encryption device is a 1-wire device;

powered by the power supply through the one wire; and

receiving data from and transmitting data to the controller through the one wire.

7. The surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein the encryption device and the controller share a common ground.

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

9. The surgical instrument according to claim 4, wherein:

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

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

10. A surgical instrument, comprising:

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

a handle connected to the surgical end effector and having a controller, the controller being electrically connected to the communication connection and having a power supply; and

an interchangeable part shaped to be removably connected to the receiving portion and having a 1-wire encryption device electrically removably connected to the communication connection and powered by the power supply when at the receiving portion.

11. The surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the handle is operable to actuate the end effector.

12. The surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the 1-wire encryption device is programmed to authenticate the interchangeable part when the interchangeable part is at the receiving portion.

13. The surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the controller is operable to authenticate the interchangeable part.

14. The surgical instrument according to claim 10, wherein the 1-wire encryption device has a microprocessor.

15. The surgical instrument according to claim 14, wherein:

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

the 1-wire encryption device is powered by the power supply through the one wire and receives data from and transmits data to the controller through the one wire.

16. The surgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein the 1-wire encryption device and the controller share a common ground.

17. The surgical instrument according to claim 16, wherein the controller has a circuit board with a second microprocessor connected to the microprocessor through the one wire.

18. The surgical instrument according to claim 13, wherein:

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

the electrical connection between the 1-wire encryption device and the communication connection exists to allow authentication of the interchangeable part only when the interchangeable part is in the seated position.

19. A surgical instrument, comprising:

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

a handle connected to the surgical end effector and having a power supply and a controller, the controller having a first microprocessor electrically connected to the communication connection; and

an interchangeable part shaped to be removably connected to the receiving portion and having an encryption device electrically removably connected to the communication connection and powered by the power supply when at the receiving portion, the encryption device having a second microprocessor programmed to cryptographically authenticate the interchangeable part with the first microprocessor when the interchangeable part is at the receiving portion.

20. The surgical instrument according to claim 19, wherein:

one wire forms the electrical connection between the communication connection and the first microprocessor; and

the encryption device is a 1-wire device;

powered by the power supply through the one wire; and

receiving data from and transmitting data to the controller through the one wire.