SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING CARTRIDGE AND FIRING MOTION STATUS

• US 20150223816A1
• Filed: 04/23/2015
• Published: 08/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Morgan, Jerome R., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Granted Patent: US 9,730,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• 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: A61B 34/76 Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback

Abstract

Sensor arrangements for determining the position of a firing element in an end effector of a surgical instrument. In various forms, the sensor arrangement comprises a resistive element supported in the end effector. As the firing element translates within the end effector, it movingly contacts the resistive element to generate signals indicative of the firing element position. In other arrangements, the sensor can detect the status or presence of a staple cartridge in the end effector. The sensor arrangement can communicate with a memory device, processor and indicator.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A fastener cartridge, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fasteners;

a longitudinal knife slot defined in said cartridge body; and

a circuit comprising a plurality of frangible resistors extending across said longitudinal knife slot, wherein said plurality of frangible resistors comprises;

a first resistor; and

a second resistor, wherein said circuit comprises a first resistance when said first resistor and said second resistor are intact, wherein said circuit comprises a second resistance when said first resistor is split and said second resistor is intact, and wherein said second resistance is different than said first resistance.

22. The fastener cartridge of claim 21, wherein said circuit comprises a third resistance when said first resistor and said second resistor are split, and wherein said third resistance is different than said first resistance and different than said second resistance.

23. The fastener cartridge of claim 22, wherein said plurality of frangible resistors further comprises a third resistor, wherein said circuit comprises said first resistance, said second resistance, and said third resistance when said third resistor is intact, wherein said circuit comprises a fourth resistance when said first resistor, said second resistor, and said third resistor are split, and wherein said fourth resistance is different than said first resistance, different than said second resistance, and different than said third resistance.

24. The fastener cartridge of claim 21, wherein said first resistor comprises a proximal resistor, and wherein said second resistor comprises a distal resistor.

25. The fastener cartridge of claim 21, wherein said cartridge body comprises an outer surface, and wherein said circuit is mounted to said outer surface.

26. The fastener cartridge of claim 25, wherein said circuit is adhered to said outer surface.

27. A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:

a cartridge body comprising a plurality of fasteners;

a firing member slot defined at least partially through said cartridge body; and

a firing member position sensor comprising a plurality of resistors extending at least partially across said firing member slot, wherein said plurality of resistors comprises;

a first resistor; and

a second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when said first resistor and said second resistor are intact, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when said first resistor is split and said second resistor is intact, and wherein said second resistance is different than said first resistance.

28. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 27, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a third resistance when said first resistor and said second resistor are split, and wherein said third resistance is different than said first resistance and different than said second resistance.

29. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 28, wherein said plurality of resistors further comprises a third resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises said first resistance, said second resistance, and said third resistance when said third resistor is intact, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a fourth resistance when said first resistor, said second resistor, and said third resistor are split, and wherein said fourth resistance is different than said first resistance, different than said second resistance, and different than said third resistance.

30. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 27, wherein said first resistor comprises a proximal resistor, and wherein said second resistor comprises a distal resistor.

31. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 27, wherein said cartridge body comprises an outer surface, and wherein said firing member position sensor is mounted to said outer surface.

32. The fastener cartridge assembly of claim 31, wherein said firing member position sensor is adhered to said outer surface.

33. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:

a movable firing member;

a first jaw comprising a forming surface; and

a second jaw, comprising;

a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of staples, wherein said movable firing member is configured to move relative to said fastener cartridge; and

a firing member position sensor comprising a plurality of resistors, wherein said plurality of resistors comprises;

a first resistor; and

a second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a first resistance when said movable firing member is positioned proximal to said first resistor and said second resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a second resistance when said movable firing member is positioned intermediate said first resistor and said second resistor, and wherein said second resistance is different than said first resistance.

34. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 33, wherein said movable firing member is configured to sequentially sever said plurality of resistors.

35. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 34, wherein said fastener cartridge comprises a firing member slot, and wherein said firing member position sensor at least partially overlies said firing member slot.

36. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 33, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a third resistance when said movable firing member is positioned distal to said first resistor and said second resistor, and wherein said third resistance is different than said first resistance and different than said second resistance.

37. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 36, wherein said plurality of resistors further comprises a third resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises said first resistance, said second resistance, and said third resistance when said movable firing member is positioned proximal to third resistor, wherein said firing member position sensor comprises a fourth resistance when said movable firing member is positioned distal to said third resistor, and wherein said fourth resistance is different than said first resistance, different than said second resistance, and different than said third resistance.

38. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 33, wherein said firing member position sensor is mounted to said second jaw.

39. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 33, wherein said firing member position sensor is mounted to said first jaw.

40. The surgical stapling assembly of claim 33, wherein said firing member position sensor is mounted to said fastener cartridge.