STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A surgical end effector for treating tissue, said surgical end effector comprising:
- a staple cartridge comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said staple cartridge is configured to be used to staple tissue within an optimal tissue thickness range;
an anvil movably coupled relative to said proximal end of said staple cartridge;
a tissue thickness sensing module adjacent to said distal end of said staple cartridge, wherein said tissue thickness sensing module comprises;
a sensor configured to generate a tissue thickness signal indicative of a thickness of tissue located between said anvil and said staple cartridge; and
a controller in signal communication with said sensor, wherein said controller comprises identifying means for identifying a staple cartridge type, and wherein said staple cartridge type and said tissue thickness signal are used to determine if said thickness is within said optimal tissue thickness range.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In various embodiments, a surgical end effector is disclosed. The surgical end effector comprises a staple cartridge comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The staple cartridge is configured to be used to staple tissue within an optimal tissue thickness range. An anvil is movably coupled relative to the staple cartridge. A tissue thickness sensing module is located adjacent to the distal end of the staple cartridge. The tissue thickness sensing module comprises a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to generate a tissue thickness signal indicative of a thickness of the tissue located between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The controller is in signal communication with the sensor. The controller comprises means for identifying a staple cartridge type. The staple cartridge type and the thickness measurement are used to determine if the thickness of the tissue is within the optimal tissue thickness range.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical end effector for treating tissue, said surgical end effector comprising:
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a staple cartridge comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said staple cartridge is configured to be used to staple tissue within an optimal tissue thickness range; an anvil movably coupled relative to said proximal end of said staple cartridge; a tissue thickness sensing module adjacent to said distal end of said staple cartridge, wherein said tissue thickness sensing module comprises; a sensor configured to generate a tissue thickness signal indicative of a thickness of tissue located between said anvil and said staple cartridge; and a controller in signal communication with said sensor, wherein said controller comprises identifying means for identifying a staple cartridge type, and wherein said staple cartridge type and said tissue thickness signal are used to determine if said thickness is within said optimal tissue thickness range. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A staple cartridge for use in a surgical stapler for treating tissue, the staple cartridge comprising:
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a staple body comprising a proximal end and a distal end; a plurality of staples removably stored within said staple body, wherein said plurality of staples is configured to be used to staple tissue within an optimal tissue thickness range; a tissue thickness module adjacent to said distal end of said staple body, said tissue thickness module comprising; a sensor configured to generate a tissue thickness signal indicative of a thickness of tissue adjacent to said staple body; and a controller in signal communication with said sensor, wherein said controller comprises identifying means for identifying a staple cartridge type, and wherein said staple cartridge type and said tissue thickness signal are used to determine if said thickness is within said optimal tissue thickness range. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A tissue thickness sensing module for attachment to a surgical staple cartridge configured for treatment of tissue, the tissue thickness sensing module comprising:
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a sensor configured to detect a magnetic field and generate a tissue thickness signal indicative of a thickness of tissue adjacent to said surgical staple cartridge; a controller in signal communication with said sensor, wherein said controller comprises an identifier means for identifying a staple cartridge type, and wherein said staple cartridge type and said tissue thickness signal are used to determine if said thickness is within an optimal tissue thickness range for said surgical staple cartridge; a transmitter in signal communication with said controller; and at least one power source configured to supply power to said controller and said transmitter.
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Specification