SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING CARTRIDGE AND FIRING MOTION STATUS
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A fastener cartridge, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A fastener cartridge assembly, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification