SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR

• US 20150272578A1
• 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: Leimbach, Richard L., Adams, Shane R., Overmyer, Mark D., Swensgard, Brett E., Lytle, Thomas W. IV, Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Houser, Kevin L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,690,362 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 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00075 Motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00132 Setting operation time of a device A61B2017/00123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• 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: 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: G05F 1/563 : including two stages of regulation at least one of which is output level responsive, e.g. coarse and fine regulation
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/61 : including two stages of regulation, at least one of which is output level responsive
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 5/00 : Systems for regulating electric variables by detecting deviations in the electric input to the system and thereby controlling a device within the system to obtain a regulated output
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3296 : by lowering the supply or operating voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 11/006 : in case of too high or too low voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/087 : for dc applications
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/18 : responsive to reversal of direct current
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/1213 : for DC-DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0067 : Converter structures employing plural converter units, other than for parallel operation of the units on a single load

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, the safety processor, and a segmented circuit. The segmented circuit includes a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments is configured to control one or more operations of the surgical instrument. The safety processor is configured to monitor one or more parameters of the plurality of circuit segments.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument control circuit, comprising:

a primary processor;

a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, the safety processor; and

a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor, the plurality of circuit segments configured to control one or more operations of the surgical instrument, wherein the safety processor is configured to monitor one or more parameters of the plurality of circuit segments.

2. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the safety processor is configured to verify the one or more parameters of the plurality of circuit segments, and wherein the safety processor is configured to verify the one or more parameters independently of one or more control signals generated by the primary processor.

3. The control circuit of claim 2, wherein the safety processor is configured to independently verify a velocity of a cutting member.

4. The control circuit of claim 3, comprising:

a first sensor configured to monitor a first property of the surgical instrument;

a second sensor configured to monitor a second property of the surgical instrument, wherein the first property and the second property comprise a predetermined relationship, and wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with the safety processor.

5. The control circuit of claim 4, wherein a fault comprises the first property and the second property having values inconsistent with the predetermined relationship, and wherein when the fault is detected the safety processor is configured to prevent operation of at least one of the plurality of circuit segments.

6. The control circuit of claim 4, wherein the first sensor comprises a Hall-effect sensor configured to monitor a cutting member position and the second sensor comprises a motor current sensor configured to monitor a motor current.

7. The control circuit of claim 2, wherein the safety processor is configured to disable at least one of the plurality of circuit segments when a mismatch is detected between the verification of the one or more parameters and the one or more control signals generated by the primary processor.

8. The control circuit of claim 7, wherein the safety processor is configured to prevent operation of a motor segment by interrupting power flow to the motor segment from the power segment.

9. The control circuit of claim 7, wherein the safety processor is configured to prevent forward operation of a motor segment and allow reverse operation of the motor segment when the fault is detected.

10. A surgical instrument control circuit, comprising:

a primary processor;

a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, the safety processor; and

a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor, the plurality of circuit segments configured to control one or more operations of the surgical instrument, wherein the plurality of circuit segments comprise;

a motor segment configured to control one or more mechanical operations of the surgical instrument; and

a power segment; and

wherein the safety processor is configured to monitor one or more parameters of the plurality of circuit segments.

11. The control circuit of claim 10, wherein the safety processor is configured to verify the one or more parameters of the plurality of circuit segments, and wherein the safety processor is configured to verify the one or more parameters independently of one or more control signals generated by the primary processor.

12. The control circuit of claim 11, wherein the safety processor is configured to independently verify a velocity of a cutting member.

13. The control circuit of claim 12, comprising:

a first sensor configured to monitor a first property of the surgical instrument;

a second sensor configured to monitor a second property of the surgical instrument, wherein the first property and the second property comprise a predetermined relationship, and wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with the safety processor, wherein a fault comprises the first property and the second property having values inconsistent with the predetermined relationship, and wherein when the fault is detected the safety processor is configured to prevent operation of at least one of the plurality of circuit segments.

14. The control circuit of claim 13, wherein the first sensor comprises a Hall-effect sensor configured to monitor a cutting member position and the second sensor comprises a motor current sensor configured to monitor a motor current.

15. The control circuit of claim 11, wherein the safety processor is configured to disable at least one of the plurality of circuit segments when a mismatch is detected between the verification of the one or more parameters and the one or more control signals generated by the primary processor.

16. The control circuit of claim 15, wherein the safety processor is configured to prevent operation of the motor segment by interrupting power flow to the motor segment from the power segment.

17. The control circuit of claim 15, wherein the safety processor is configured to prevent forward operation of the motor segment and allow reverse operation of the motor segment when the fault is detected.

18. A surgical instrument control circuit, comprising:

a primary processor;

a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, the safety processor; and

a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor, the plurality of circuit segments configured to control one or more operations of the surgical instrument, wherein the safety processor is configured to monitor one or more parameters of the plurality of circuit segments, wherein the safety processor is configured to verify the one or more parameters of the plurality of circuit segments, wherein the safety processor configured to verify the one or more parameters independently of one or more control signals generated by the primary processor, and wherein the safety processor is configured to disable at least one of the plurality of circuit segments when a mismatch is detected between the verification of the one or more parameters and the one or more control signals generated by the primary processor.

19. The control circuit of claim 18, comprising:

a first sensor configured to monitor a first property of the surgical instrument;

a second sensor configured to monitor a second property of the surgical instrument, wherein the first property and the second property comprise a predetermined relationship, and wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with the safety processor, wherein a fault comprises the first property and the second property having values inconsistent with the predetermined relationship, and wherein when the fault is detected the safety processor prevents operation of at least one of the plurality of circuit segments.

20. The control circuit of claim 19, wherein when a fault is detected the safety processor is configured to prevent operation of a motor segment by interrupting power flow to the motor segment from the power segment.