SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT INCLUDING SWITCHES FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

• US 20140305988A1
• Filed: 04/09/2014
• Published: 10/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Boudreaux, Chad P., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Baxter, Chester O. III
• Granted Patent: US 9,844,368 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/175.3
• 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 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 17/282 Jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00393 with means for switching between functions
• 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 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0688 Packages or dispensers for surgical staplers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 : Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07221 : curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07235 : containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07242 : achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0725 : with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2902 : characterized by features of the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 : transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2912 : transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2922 : toggle linkages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2932 : Transmission of forces to jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2936 : Pins in guiding slots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 : Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/038 : during shipment
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 : Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation

Abstract

A surgical instrument system is disclosed. The surgical instrument system can include a handle and a plurality of shafts which can be selectively assembled to the handle. Each shaft can include a system of sensors which can direct the operation of the handle during use.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

an electric motor; and

an actuator configured to operate said electric motor;

a first shaft attachable to said handle, comprising;

a first end effector; and

a first drive system configured to perform a first end effector function, wherein said first drive system is operably engageable with said electric motor, and wherein said electric motor is operated in a first direction to perform said first end effector function; and

a second shaft attachable to said handle in lieu of said first shaft, said second shaft comprising;

a second end effector; and

a second drive system configured to perform a second end effector function, wherein said second drive system is operably engageable with said electric motor, wherein said electric motor is operated in a second direction to perform said second end effector function, and wherein said second direction is opposite said first direction.

2. The surgical instrument system of claim 1, wherein said first end effector comprises a first anvil and a first staple cartridge, wherein said first end effector function comprises moving said first anvil toward said first staple cartridge, wherein said second end effector comprises a second anvil and a second staple cartridge, and wherein said second end effector function comprises moving said second anvil toward said second staple cartridge.

3. The surgical instrument system of claim 2, wherein said first staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal array of staple cavities extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said second staple cartridge comprises a circular array of staple cavities.

4. The surgical instrument system of claim 2, wherein said handle further comprises a firing motor, wherein said first shaft comprises a first firing system operably engageable with said firing motor, wherein said second shaft comprises a second firing system operably engageable with said firing motor, and wherein said firing motor is operated in the same direction to advance said first firing system through a firing stroke to eject staples from said first staple cartridge and said second firing system through a firing stroke to eject staples from said second staple cartridge.

5. The surgical instrument system of claim 2, wherein said first shaft comprises a first end-of-stroke sensor configured to determine when said first anvil is in a first closed position, wherein said first end-of-stroke sensor is configured to stop said electric motor when said first anvil is in said first closed position, wherein said second shaft comprises a second end-of-stroke sensor configured to determine when said second anvil is in a second closed position, wherein said second end-of-stroke sensor is configured to stop said electric motor when said second anvil is in said second closed position, and wherein said first closed position is different than said second closed position.

6. The surgical instrument system of claim 5, wherein said handle further comprises a firing motor, wherein said first shaft comprises a first firing system operably engageable with said firing motor, wherein said second shaft comprises a second firing system operably engageable with said firing motor, wherein said firing motor is operated to advance said first firing system through a firing stroke to eject staples from said first staple cartridge and said second firing system through a firing stroke to eject staples from said second staple cartridge, and wherein said firing motor is not operable until said first end-of-stroke sensor has determined that said first anvil has reached said first closed position or said second end-of-stroke sensor has determined that said second anvil has reached said second closed position.

7. The surgical instrument system of claim 6, wherein said surgical instrument system does not comprise a microprocessor.

8. The surgical instrument system of claim 6, wherein said surgical instrument system comprises a microprocessor, and wherein said first end-of-stroke sensor and said second end-of-stroke sensor are in signal communication with said microprocessor.

9. The surgical instrument system of claim 6, further comprising a firing stroke sensor configured to detect when said firing motor has been actuated, wherein said surgical instrument system further comprises a closure power circuit configured to operably connect said electric motor to a power source, and wherein said closure power circuit is opened when said firing stroke sensor has detected that said firing motor has been actuated.

10. The surgical instrument system of claim 5, wherein said first end-of-stroke sensor comprises a first Hall Effect sensor configured to detect a first detectable element on said first firing drive to determine if said first anvil is in said first closed position, wherein said second end-of-stroke sensor comprises a second Hall Effect sensor configured to detect a second detectable element on said second firing drive to determine if said second anvil is in said second closed position, wherein said surgical instrument system further comprises a microprocessor configured to control said electric motor, and wherein said first Hall Effect sensor and said second Hall Effect sensor are in signal communication with said microprocessor.

11. The surgical instrument system of claim 1, wherein said actuator is actuated in the same direction to perform said first end effector function and said second end effector function.

12. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

an electric motor; and

an actuator configured to operate said electric motor;

a first shaft attachable to said handle, comprising;

a first end effector; and

a first drive system configured to perform a first end effector function, wherein said first drive system is operably engageable with said electric motor, and wherein said electric motor is operated a first number of rotations to perform said first end effector function; and

a second shaft attachable to said handle in lieu of said first shaft, said second shaft comprising;

a second end effector; and

a second drive system configured to perform a second end effector function, wherein said second drive system is operably engageable with said electric motor, wherein said electric motor is operated a second number of rotations to perform said second end effector function, and wherein said first number of rotations is different than said second number of rotations.

13. The surgical instrument system of claim 12, wherein said first end effector comprises a first anvil and a first staple cartridge, wherein said first end effector function comprises moving said first anvil toward said first staple cartridge, wherein said second end effector comprises a second anvil and a second staple cartridge, and wherein said second end effector function comprises moving said second anvil toward said second staple cartridge.

14. The surgical instrument system of claim 13, wherein said first staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal array of staple cavities extending between a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein said second staple cartridge comprises a circular array of staple cavities.

15. The surgical instrument system of claim 13, wherein said first shaft comprises a first end-of-stroke sensor configured to determine when said first anvil is in a first closed position, wherein said first end-of-stroke sensor is configured to stop said electric motor when said first anvil is in said first closed position, wherein said second shaft comprises a second end-of-stroke sensor configured to determine when said second anvil is in a second closed position, wherein said second end-of-stroke sensor is configured to stop said electric motor when said second anvil is in said second closed position, and wherein said first closed position is different than said second closed position.

16. The surgical instrument system of claim 15, wherein said handle further comprises a firing motor, wherein said first shaft comprises a first firing system operably engageable with said firing motor, wherein said second shaft comprises a second firing system operably engageable with said firing motor, wherein said firing motor is operated to advance said first firing system through a firing stroke to eject staples from said first staple cartridge and said second firing system through a firing stroke to eject staples from said second staple cartridge, and wherein said firing motor is not operable until said first end-of-stroke sensor has determined that said first anvil has reached said first closed position or said second end-of-stroke sensor has determined that said second anvil has reached said second closed position.

17. The surgical instrument system of claim 16, wherein said surgical instrument system does not comprise a microprocessor.

18. The surgical instrument system of claim 16, wherein said surgical instrument system comprises a microprocessor, and wherein said first end-of-stroke sensor and said second end-of-stroke sensor are in signal communication with said microprocessor.

19. The surgical instrument system of claim 16, further comprising a firing stroke sensor configured to detect when said firing motor has been actuated, wherein said surgical instrument system further comprises a closure power circuit configured to operably connect said electric motor to a power source, and wherein said closure power circuit is opened when said firing stroke sensor has detected that said firing motor has been actuated.

20. The surgical instrument system of claim 12, wherein said electric motor is operated in a first direction to perform said first end effector function, wherein said electric motor is operated in a second direction to perform said second end effector function, and wherein said first direction is different than said second direction.

21. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

a first electric motor;

a first actuator switch;

a first actuator configured to close said first actuator switch;

a second electric motor;

a second actuator switch; and

a second actuator configured to close said second actuator switch;

a shaft, comprising;

an end effector;

a first drive system configured to perform a first end effector function, wherein said first drive system is engageable with said first electric motor, and wherein said first electric motor is operable to move said first drive system through a first drive stroke; and

a second drive system configured to perform a second end effector function, wherein said second drive system is engageable with said second electric motor, and wherein said second electric motor is operable to move said second drive system through a second drive stroke; and

an end-of-stroke sensor configured to determine when said first drive system has completed its first drive stroke, and wherein said second electric motor is not responsive to said second actuator switch until said end-of-stroke sensor has determined that said first drive stroke has been completed.

22. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

an electric motor; and

a power source configured to supply power to said electric motor;

a first shaft assembly attachable to said handle, said first shaft assembly comprising;

a first anvil;

a first staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein;

a first sensor system configured to detect a condition of said first shaft assembly; and

a first control circuit configured to control the operation of said electric motor, wherein said first control circuit is in communication with said first sensor system; and

a second shaft assembly attachable to said handle in lieu of said first shaft assembly, said second shaft assembly comprising;

a second anvil;

a second staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein;

a second sensor system configured to detect a condition of said second shaft assembly; and

a second control circuit configured to control the operation of said electric motor, wherein said second control circuit is in communication with said second sensor system.

23. The surgical instrument system of claim 22, wherein said first control circuit comprises a first microprocessor, wherein said second control circuit comprises a second microprocessor, and wherein said handle does not comprise a microprocessor.

24. The surgical instrument system of claim 22, wherein said handle comprises a shaft interface, wherein said first shaft assembly and said second shaft assembly each comprises a handle interface, wherein said shaft interface is engageable with said handle interface, wherein said shaft interface comprises an electrical connector consisting of a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, and wherein said handle interface comprises an electrical connector consisting of a first corresponding electrical contact which corresponds to said first electrical contact and a second corresponding electrical contact which corresponds to said second electrical contact.

25. The surgical instrument system of claim 22, wherein said first shaft assembly comprises a linear stapling end effector, and wherein said second shaft assembly comprises a circular stapling end effector.

26. The surgical instrument system of claim 22, wherein said handle comprises an actuator, wherein said electric motor is controlled only by said handle actuator and said first shaft control circuit when said first shaft assembly is assembled to said handle, and wherein said electric motor is controlled only by said handle actuator and said second shaft control circuit when said second shaft assembly is assembled to said handle.

27. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

a closing motor;

a firing motor;

a closing system output operably connected to said closing motor; and

a firing system output operably connected to said firing motor;

a shaft assembly attachable to said handle, said shaft assembly comprising;

an anvil;

a staple cartridge comprising staples removably stored therein;

a closing system configured to move said anvil between an open position and a closed position, wherein said closing system comprises a closing system input operably engageable with said closing system output;

a firing system configured to eject said staples from said staple cartridge, wherein said firing system comprises a firing system input operably engageable with said firing system output; and

a control circuit configured to control the operation of said closing motor and said firing motor.

28. The surgical instrument system of claim 27, wherein said control circuit comprises a microprocessor, and wherein said handle does not comprise a microprocessor.

29. The surgical instrument system of claim 27, wherein said handle comprises a shaft interface, wherein said shaft assembly comprises a handle interface, wherein said shaft interface is engageable with said handle interface, wherein said shaft interface comprises an electrical connector consisting of a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact, and wherein said handle interface comprises an electrical connector consisting of a first corresponding electrical contact which corresponds to said first electrical contact and a second corresponding electrical contact which corresponds to said second electrical contact.

30. The surgical instrument system of claim 27, wherein said handle comprises a closing actuator and a firing actuator, wherein said closing motor is controlled only by said closing actuator and said shaft control circuit when said shaft assembly is assembled to said handle, and wherein said firing motor is controlled only by said firing actuator and said shaft control circuit when said shaft assembly is assembled to said handle.