SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION

• US 20150272571A1
• Filed: 03/26/2014
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Leimbach, Richard L., Adams, Shane R., Overmyer, Mark D., Swensgard, Brett E., Lytle, Thomas W. IV, Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Houser, Kevin L.
• Application Number:
  US14/226,116
• Publication Number:
  US 20150272571A1
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00137 Details of operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00225 Systems for controlling multiple different instruments, e.g. microsurgical systems
• 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 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 : for use with different instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 : Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 : Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 : characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 : characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 : characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2912 : transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 : with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/302 : specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/081 : for contamination or dirt
• 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 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 : Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 : Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/07 : Steam
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/081 : Gamma radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/082 : X-rays
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/087 : Particle radiation, e.g. electron-beam, alpha or beta radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/16 : using chemical substances
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/206 : Ethylene oxide
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 : Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 : Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/24 : Medical instruments, e.g. endoscopes, catheters, sharps
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 3/00 : Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 : Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 : Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2010/4278 : Systems for data transfer from batteries, e.g. transfer of battery parameters to a controller, data transferred between battery controller and main controller
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 : adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 : for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/025 : having a flexible conductor wound around a rotation axis
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/08 : Slip-rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/10 : other than with external cylindrical contact surface, e.g. flat slip-rings
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/64 : Devices for uninterrupted current collection
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 5/00 : Circuit arrangements for transfer of electric power between ac networks and dc networks H02J3/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007188 : the charge cycle being controlled or terminated in response to non-electric parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/007192 : in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 : for charging batteries from ac mains by converters

Abstract

A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a movable input, and an analog sensor configured to detect the position of the movable input, wherein the analog sensor is configured to produce an analog signal comprising analog data. The surgical instrument can further comprise a microcontroller comprising an input channel, wherein the analog sensor is in signal communication with the input channel, wherein the microcontroller is configured to compare the analog data to a reference value, and wherein the microcontroller is configured to produce a digital signal in response to the comparison.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle;

a movable input;

an analog sensor configured to detect the position of said movable input, wherein said analog sensor is configured to produce an analog signal comprising analog data; and

a microcontroller comprising an input channel, wherein said analog sensor is in signal communication with said input channel, wherein said microcontroller is configured to compare said analog data to a reference value, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to produce a digital signal in response to said comparison.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is configured to sample said analog data, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate a digital bit for each sample of said analog data.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an on bit if a sample is above said reference value, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an off bit if a sample is below said reference value.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein said reference value comprises a first reference value, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to compare said analog data to a second reference value.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an on bit if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an off bit if a sample is below said first reference value, and wherein said microcontroller can be configured to generate a fault condition if a sample is above said second reference value.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an on bit if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an off bit if a sample is above said first reference value, and wherein said microcontroller can be configured to generate a fault condition if a sample is below said second reference value.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is configured to sample said analog data, wherein said microcontroller comprises an output channel, wherein said microcontroller is configured to communicate said digital signal to said output channel, wherein said reference value comprises a first reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to compare said analog data to a second reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to change said digital signal if a sample is below said first reference value or above said second reference value, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to not change said digital signal if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is configured to sample said analog data, wherein said microcontroller comprises an output channel, wherein said microcontroller is configured to communicate said digital signal to said output channel, wherein said reference value comprises a first reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to compare said analog data to a second reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to supply an off bit to said output channel if a sample is less than said first reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to supply an on bit to said output channel if a sample is greater than said second reference value, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to not change said digital signal if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said analog sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor, wherein said movable input comprises a magnetic element, and wherein the movement of said magnetic element is detectable by said Hall effect sensor.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said analog sensor is selected from the group consisting of a Hall effect sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, and an optical sensor.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a shaft assembly attachable to said handle, wherein said shaft assembly comprises a movable jaw, and wherein said movable input comprises a closure trigger configured to move said movable jaw.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is configured to adjust said reference value.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said surgical instrument further comprises a memory device, and wherein said reference value is stored in said memory device.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is operated by an algorithm, and wherein said reference value is stored in said algorithm.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a staple cartridge.

16. A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:

a movable portion;

an analog sensor configured to detect the position of said movable portion, wherein said analog sensor is configured to produce an analog signal comprising analog data;

a processor comprising an input channel, wherein said analog sensor is in signal communication with said input channel, wherein said processor is configured to compare said analog data to a reference value, and wherein said processor is configured to generate a digital signal in response to said comparison.

17. The surgical instrument assembly of claim 16, wherein said microcontroller is configured to sample said analog data, wherein said processor comprises an output channel, wherein said processor is configured to communicate said digital signal to said output channel, wherein said reference value comprises a first reference value, wherein said processor is configured to compare said analog data to a second reference value, wherein said processor is configured to change said digital signal if a sample is below said first reference value or above said second reference value, and wherein said processor is configured to not change said digital signal if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value.

18. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle comprising a trigger, wherein the actuation of said trigger is configured to produce a surgical instrument function, and wherein said trigger comprises a magnetic element;

an analog sensor configured to track the position of said magnetic element, wherein said analog sensor is configured to produce an analog signal comprising analog data;

a controller, wherein said analog sensor is in signal communication with said controller, wherein said controller is configured to compare said analog data to a reference value, and wherein said controller is configured to produce a digital signal in response to said comparison.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein said controller is configured to sample said analog data, wherein said controller comprises an output channel, wherein said controller is configured to communicate said digital signal to said output channel, wherein said reference value comprises a first reference value, wherein said controller is configured to compare said analog data to a second reference value, wherein said controller is configured to change said digital signal if a sample is below said first reference value or above said second reference value, and wherein said controller is configured to not change said digital signal if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value.