STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A staple cartridge for use in a surgical stapler, the staple cartridge comprising:
- a staple body comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
a tissue thickness sensing module coupled to said distal end of said staple body, wherein said tissue thickness sensing module comprises;
a controller; and
a sensor; and
a power key removably positioned relative to said tissue thickness sensing module, wherein said controller is configured to detect said power key, wherein, when said controller detects said power key, said controller maintains said tissue thickness sensing module in a low-power state, and wherein, when said power key is removed, said controller transitions said tissue thickness sensing module to an active state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In various embodiments, a staple cartridge for use in a surgical stapler is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a staple body comprising a proximal end and a distal end. A tissue thickness sensing module is positioned adjacent to the distal end of the staple body. The tissue thickness sensing module comprises a controller and a sensor. A power key is located removably adjacent to the staple body. The controller is configured to detect the power key and to maintain the tissue thickness sensing module in a low-power state while the power key is present. When the power key is removed, the controller transitions the tissue thickness sensing module to an active state.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A staple cartridge for use in a surgical stapler, the staple cartridge comprising:
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a staple body comprising a proximal end and a distal end; a tissue thickness sensing module coupled to said distal end of said staple body, wherein said tissue thickness sensing module comprises; a controller; and a sensor; and a power key removably positioned relative to said tissue thickness sensing module, wherein said controller is configured to detect said power key, wherein, when said controller detects said power key, said controller maintains said tissue thickness sensing module in a low-power state, and wherein, when said power key is removed, said controller transitions said tissue thickness sensing module to an active state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A device comprising:
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a reed switch; a power source; and a controller configured to receive power from said power source, wherein said controller is configured to maintain said device in a low-power state when said reed switch is in a saturation state, and wherein said controller is configured to transition said device to an active state when said reed switch is in a non-saturation state.
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10. A method for power management of a staple cartridge assembly having a tissue thickness sensing module, the method comprising:
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detecting, by a controller, a power key removably positioned adjacent to said tissue thickness sensing module; maintaining, by said controller, a tissue thickness sensing module in a low-power state when said power key is detected; and transitioning, by said controller, said tissue thickness sensing module to an active state when said power key is removed from said tissue thickness sensing module. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for controlling a device comprising a controller, a power source, and a reed switch sensor, the method comprising:
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detecting, by said controller, a saturation state of said reed witch, wherein said reed switch is maintained in said saturation state by a power key positioned relative to said reed switch, and wherein said power key comprises a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field sufficient to place said reed switch in said saturation state; maintaining, by said controller, said device in a locked state while said reed switch is in said saturation state, wherein said locked state comprises a low-power state of said device; and transitioning, by said controller, said device to an unlocked state, wherein said transition occurs when said power key is removed from said reed switch and said reed switch is in a non-saturated state, and wherein said unlocked state comprises an active state of said device.
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Specification