INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

• US 20150272572A1
• Filed: 03/26/2014
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Overmyer, Mark D., Swensgard, Brett E., Adams, Shane R., Lytle, Thomas W. IV, Leimbach, Richard L., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Houser, Kevin L.
• Granted Patent: US 10,004,497 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 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 2017/00212 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 2017/00398 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 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0805 automatically, e.g. by means of magnetic, optical or photoelectric detectors
• 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 2090/0811 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 34/25 User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/05 Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/14018 IN, plc and comparator, error detector, backup, standby plc, switch, update OUT
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure includes an elongate shaft, an end effector extending from the elongate shaft, and a control system. The end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position. The control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to store program instructions. The processor can alert the operator when the end effector reaches the home state position from the articulated position.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:

an elongate shaft;

an end effector extending from said elongate shaft, wherein said end effector is articulatable relative to said elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position; and

a control system, comprising;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to said processor to store program instructions, which when executed from said memory cause said processor to alert the operator when said end effector reaches said home state position from said articulated position.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to stop the articulation of said end effector when said end effector reaches said home state position from said articulated position.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a motor operable to articulate said end effector between said home state position and said articulated position, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to stop said motor when said end effector reaches said home state position from said articulated position.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to provide visual feedback to the operator when said end effector reaches said home state position from said articulated position.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to provide haptic feedback to the operator when said end effector reaches said home state position from said articulated position.

6. A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:

a handle assembly movable between a plurality of positions, said handle assembly comprising an interface;

an elongate shaft;

an end effector extending distally from said elongate shaft; and

a control system, comprising;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to said processor to store program instructions, which when executed from said memory cause said processor to toggle between a plurality of interface configurations, wherein each of said interface configurations is associated with one of said positions.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein said plurality of interface configurations comprise a first interface configuration and a second interface configuration, wherein said plurality of positions comprise a first position and a second position, and wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to adopt said first interface configuration while said handle assembly is in said first position, and adopt said second interface configuration while said handle assembly is in said second position.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7, further comprising a screen, wherein said first interface configuration comprises a first orientation of said screen, and wherein said second interface configuration comprises a second orientation of said screen which is different from said first orientation.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein said interface includes a first switch and a second switch, said first and second switches are operable by the operator to articulate said end effector relative to said elongate shaft.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein said first switch is operable by the operator to articulate said end effector in a first direction when said processor is generating said first interface configuration, and wherein said first switch is operable by the operator to articulate said end effector in a second direction, different from said first direction, when said processor is generating said second interface configuration.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein said second switch is operable by the operator to articulate said end effector in said second direction when said processor is generating said first interface configuration, and wherein said second switch is operable by the operator to articulate said end effector in said first direction when said processor is generating said second interface configuration.

12. A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:

an interface comprising a plurality of operational controls;

an elongate shaft;

an end effector extending distally from said elongate shaft; and

a control system, comprising;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to said processor to store program instructions, which when executed from said memory cause said processor to toggle said interface between a primary interface configuration and a secondary interface configuration, wherein said plurality of operational controls are configured to perform operational functions while said interface is in said primary interface configuration, wherein said plurality of operational controls are configured to perform navigational functions while said interface is in said secondary interface configuration, wherein said navigational functions are related to said operational functions.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein said interface comprises a display.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13 further comprising a navigational menu accessible through said display while said surgical instrument is in said navigational mode.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein said navigational menu comprises an articulation menu, wherein said plurality of operational controls comprise an articulation control, wherein said articulation control is operable to articulate said end effector relative to said elongate shaft in said primary interface configuration, and wherein said articulation control is operable to access said articulation menu in said secondary interface configuration.

16. A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:

an elongate shaft;

an end effector extending distally from said elongate shaft, said end effector comprising a staple cartridge, said staple cartridge including a plurality of staples movable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration;

a firing mechanism configured to move said plurality of staples to said fired configuration;

an interface comprising a touchscreen, wherein said touchscreen comprises a firing icon; and

a control system, comprising;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to said processor to store program instructions, which when executed from said memory cause said processor to detect a firing input signal generated when the operator selects said firing icon, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to respond to said detection of said firing input signal by activating said firing mechanism to move said plurality of staples to said fired configuration.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16 further comprising an articulation mechanism configured to articulate said end effector relative to said elongate shaft, wherein said touch screen comprises an articulation icon, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to detect an articulation input signal generated when the operator selects said articulation icon, and wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to respond to said articulation input signal by activating said articulation mechanism to articulate said end effector.

18. A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:

an interface comprising a control; and

an indicator system, comprising;

an indicator associated with said control;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to said processor to store program instructions, which when executed from said memory cause said processor to activate said indicator to alert the operator to operate said control.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein said interface comprises a plurality of controls, and wherein said indicator system comprises a plurality of indicators associated with said plurality of controls.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 19, wherein said plurality of controls are operable in a sequence, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to activate said plurality of indicators in said sequence.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein said indicator is a visual indicator.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 21, wherein said visual indicator comprises a light that is activated to signal the operator to operate said control.

23. The surgical instrument of claim 21, wherein said visual indicator comprises a light that is configured to change color to signal the operator to operate said control.

24. A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:

an interface operable by the operator in a step of operation of said surgical instrument, wherein said interface comprises a control; and

an indicator system, comprising;

an indicator associated with said control;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to said processor to store program instructions, which when executed from said memory cause said processor to toggle said indicator between a first indicator configuration and a second indicator configuration, wherein said processor is configured to set said indicator to said first indicator configuration if said control is available for use by the operator in said step, and wherein said processor is configured to set said indicator to said second indicator configuration if said control is unavailable for use by the operator in said step.

25. The surgical instrument of claim 24, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to set said indicator to said first indicator configuration if said control is available for use by the operator as a standard control for completion of said step.

26. The surgical instrument of claim 25, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to set said indicator to a third indicator configuration if said control is available for use by the operator as a non-standard control during said step.

27. The surgical instrument of claim 24, wherein said interface comprises a plurality of controls, wherein said indicator system comprises a plurality of indicators associated with said plurality of controls.

28. The surgical instrument of claim 27, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to toggle said plurality of indicators between said first indicator configuration and said second indicator configuration.

29. A surgical assembly, comprising,

a surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:

a handle assembly comprising a primary interface, said primary interface comprising a plurality of primary controls;

an elongate shaft extending distally from said handle assembly; and

an end effector extending distally from said elongate shaft, wherein said plurality of primary controls are manually operable to actuate said end effector; and

a remote operating unit comprising a secondary interface, said secondary interface comprising a plurality of secondary controls, wherein said plurality of secondary controls are operable to remotely actuate said end effector.

30. The surgical assembly of claim 29, wherein said plurality of primary controls are actuatable to generate primary control signals, wherein said plurality of secondary controls are actuatable to generate secondary control signals, and wherein said secondary control signals are configured to mimic said primary control signals.

31. The surgical assembly of claim 30, wherein said surgical instrument comprises a receiver, wherein said remote operating unit comprises a transmitter configured to transmit said secondary control signals to said receiver.

32. The surgical assembly of claim 30, wherein said surgical instrument comprises a controller, said controller comprising:

a processor configured to receive said primary control signals and said secondary control signals; and

a memory coupled to said processor to store program instructions, which when executed from said memory cause said processor to actuate said end effector in response to at least one of said primary control signals and said secondary control signals.