STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM

• US 20140263552A1
• Filed: 03/13/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hall, Steven G., Swensgard, Brett E.
• Application Number:
  US13/800,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20140263552A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00415 having power generation near the working tip of the tool
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0209 adapted for power saving
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0223 Magnetic field sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags

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.

Claims

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.

2. The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein:

said sensor comprises a Hall Effect sensor; and

wherein said power key comprises a magnet, wherein said magnet is configured to maintain said Hall Effect sensor in a saturation state when said power key is positioned relative to said tissue thickness sensing module, and wherein said controller detects said saturation state of said Hall Effect sensor and maintains said low-power state while said Hall Effect sensor is in said saturation state.

3. The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein, when said power key is removed from said tissue thickness sensing module, said Hall Effect sensor transitions to a non-saturated state, and wherein said controller detects said non-saturated state of said Hall Effect sensor and transitions said tissue thickness sensing module to said active state.

4. The staple cartridge of claim 1, comprising:

a first terminal and a second terminal;

wherein said power key creates a first electrical circuit state between said first terminal and said second terminal, wherein said controller detects said first electrical circuit state and maintains said low-power state while said first terminal and said second terminal are in said first electrical circuit state.

5. The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein, when said power key is removed from said tissue thickness sensing module, said first terminal and said second terminal transition to a second electrical circuit state, and wherein said controller detects said second electrical circuit state and transitions said tissue thickness sensing module to said active state.

6. The staple cartridge of claim 5, wherein said first electrical circuit state comprises a short circuit between said first terminal and said second terminal, and wherein said second electrical circuit state comprises an open circuit between said first terminal and said second terminal.

7. The staple cartridge of claim 5, wherein said first electrical circuit state comprises an open circuit between said first terminal and said second terminal, and wherein said second electrical circuit state comprises a short between said first terminal and said second terminal.

8. The staple cartridge of claim 7, wherein said short between said first terminal and said second terminal is established by a connection between said staple cartridge and a surgical stapler when said staple cartridge is inserted into said surgical stapler.

9. A device comprising:

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.

10. A method for power management of a staple cartridge assembly having a tissue thickness sensing module, the method comprising:

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.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said sensing of said power key comprises:

detecting, by said controller, a state of a sensor, wherein said state of said sensor indicates said power key is positioned relative to said tissue thickness sensing module.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said sensor comprises a reed switch and said state comprises a saturation state.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said sensing of said power key comprises:

detecting, by said controller, a first electrical circuit state between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein said first electrical circuit state indicates that said power key is positioned relative to said tissue thickness sensing module.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising:

detecting, by said controller, a second electrical circuit state between said first terminal and said second terminal, wherein said second electrical circuit state indicates that said power key is not positioned relative to said tissue thickness sensing module.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said first electrical circuit state comprises a short circuit across said first terminal and said second terminal, and wherein said second electrical circuit state comprises an open circuit between said first terminal and said second terminal.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said first electrical circuit state comprises an open circuit between said first terminal and said second terminal, and wherein said second electrical circuit state comprises a short circuit across said first terminal and said second terminal.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising:

inserting said staple cartridge into a surgical stapler;

removing said power key from said tissue thickness sensing module; and

completing, by said surgical stapler, a circuit connection between said first terminal and said second terminal.

18. A method for controlling a device comprising a controller, a power source, and a reed switch sensor, the method comprising:

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.