VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES/PROCEDURE COUNT

• US 20150272580A1
• 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:
  US14/226,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20150272580A1
• 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

The present disclosure provides a power assembly including a housing configured to couple to a surgical instrument. The housing includes at least two electrical contacts. A power source is coupled to the at least two electrical contacts. The power source is configured to provide power to the surgical instrument and a usage cycle circuit is configured to monitor one or more conditions of the power assembly and maintain a usage cycle count.

Claims

1. A power assembly, comprising:

a housing configured to couple to a surgical instrument, the housing comprising at least two electrical contacts;

a power source coupled to the at least two electrical contacts, wherein the power source is configured to provide power to the surgical instrument; and

a usage cycle circuit configured to monitor one or more conditions of the power assembly and maintain a usage cycle count.

2. The power assembly of claim 1, wherein the usage cycle circuit comprises:

a processor to maintain the usage cycle count; and

a use indicator in signal communication with the processor, wherein the use indicator is configured to detect the one or more conditions of the power assembly, and wherein the processor is configured to modify the usage cycle count when the use indicator detects the one or more conditions.

3. The power assembly of claim 2, wherein the use indicator comprises a timing circuit configured to monitor a single patient procedure time.

4. The power assembly of claim 3, wherein the use indicator comprises a resistor-capacitor circuit having a time constant corresponding to the single patient procedure time, and wherein the processor is configured to detect an electrical parameter of the resistor-capacitor circuit, and wherein the electrical parameter being below a predetermined threshold indicates that the single patient procedure time has elapsed.

5. The power assembly of claim 4, comprising a transistor coupled to the power source, the processor, and the resistor-capacitor circuit, wherein the processor is configured to control the transistor as a switch, and wherein the processor closes the transistor to charge the resistor-capacitor circuit when the electrical parameter is below the predetermined threshold.

6. The power assembly of claim 3, wherein the use indicator comprises:

a rechargeable clock battery; and

a clock in signal communication with the rechargeable clock battery and the processor, wherein the rechargeable clock battery comprises a maximum voltage sufficient to run the clock for at least the single patient procedure time, and wherein the processor modifies the usage cycle count when the clock indicates that a time period corresponding to the single patient procedure time has elapsed.

7. The power assembly of claim 6, comprising a transistor coupled to the power source, the processor, and the rechargeable clock battery, wherein the processor is configured to control the transistor as a switch, and wherein the processor closes the transistor to charge the rechargeable clock battery when the single patient procedure time has elapsed.

8. The power assembly of claim 2, wherein the use indicator is configured to detect a recharging cycle of the power assembly.

9. The power assembly of claim 2, wherein the usage cycle circuit is configured to disable operation of the power assembly when the usage cycle count is equal to a predetermined usage limit.

10. The power assembly of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to increment the usage cycle count when the use indicator detects the one or more conditions of the power assembly.

11. The power assembly of claim 2, wherein the one or more conditions of the power assembly comprise environmental conditions.

12. The power assembly of claim 11, wherein the use indicator comprises an accelerometer, and wherein the processor is configured to modify the usage cycle count when the accelerometer indicates an acceleration above a predetermined threshold.

13. The power assembly of claim 11, wherein the use indicator comprises a chemical sensor, and wherein the processor is configured to modify the usage cycle count when the chemical sensor is configured to detect one or more predetermined chemicals.

14. The power assembly of claim 2, wherein the usage cycle circuit comprises a counter configured to maintain the usage cycle count.

15. The power assembly of claim 14, wherein the counter comprises a memory module in signal communication with the processor.

16. The power assembly of claim 14, wherein the counter comprises a resistor pack in signal communication with the processor, wherein the processor is configured to disable one or more resistors of the resistor pack when the use indicator is configured to detect the one or more conditions of the power assembly.

17. The power assembly of claim 2, comprising a communications module configured to transmit the usage cycle count a remote system.

18. The power assembly of claim 17, wherein the communications module is configured to receive one or more instructions from the remote system.

19. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handle assembly comprising;

a usage cycle circuit configured to monitor one or more conditions of the surgical instrument and maintain a usage cycle count

a removable power assembly; and

a modular shaft comprising a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the module shaft is detachably coupled to the handle assembly at the proximal end; and

an end effector coupled to the distal end of the modular shaft.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 19, wherein the usage cycle circuit comprises:

a processor to maintain the usage cycle count; and

a use indicator in signal communication with the processor, wherein the use indicator is configured to detect the one or more conditions of the surgical instrument, and wherein the processor is configured to modify the usage cycle count when the use indicator detects the one or more conditions.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the use indicator comprises a timing circuit configured to monitor a single patient procedure time.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 21, wherein the use indicator comprises a resistor-capacitor circuit having a time constant corresponding to the single patient procedure time, and wherein the processor is configured to detect an electrical parameter of the resistor-capacitor circuit, and wherein the electrical parameter being below a predetermined threshold indicates that the single patient procedure time has elapsed.

23. The surgical instrument of claim 22, comprising a transistor coupled to the power source, the processor, and the resistor-capacitor circuit, wherein the processor is configured to control the transistor as a switch, and wherein the processor is configured to close the transistor to charge the resistor-capacitor circuit when the electrical parameter is below the predetermined threshold.

24. The surgical instrument of claim 21, wherein the use indicator comprises:

a rechargeable clock battery; and

a clock in signal communication with the rechargeable clock battery and the processor, wherein the rechargeable clock battery comprises a maximum voltage sufficient to run the clock for at least the single patient procedure time, and wherein the processor is configured to modify the usage cycle count when the clock indicates that a time period corresponding to the single patient procedure time has elapsed.

25. The surgical instrument of claim 24, comprising a transistor coupled to the power source, the processor, and the rechargeable clock battery, wherein the processor is configured to control the transistor as a switch, and wherein the processor is configured to close the transistor to charge the rechargeable clock battery when the single patient procedure time has elapsed.

26. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the use indicator is configured to detect a recharging cycle of the power assembly.

27. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the usage cycle circuit is configured to disable operation of the surgical instrument when the usage cycle count is equal to a predetermined usage limit.

28. The surgical instrument of claim 27, wherein the processor is configured to increment the usage cycle count when the use indicator detects the one or more conditions of the power assembly.

29. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the one or more conditions of the surgical instrument comprise environmental conditions.

30. The surgical instrument of claim 29, wherein the use indicator comprises an accelerometer, and wherein the processor is configured to modify the usage cycle count when the accelerometer indicates an acceleration above a predetermined threshold.

31. The surgical instrument of claim 29, wherein the use indicator comprises a chemical sensor, and wherein the processor is configured to modify the usage cycle count when the chemical sensor detects one or more predetermined chemicals.

32. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the usage cycle circuit comprises a counter configured to maintain the usage cycle count.

33. The surgical instrument of claim 32, wherein the counter comprises a memory module in signal communication with the processor.

34. The surgical instrument of claim 32, wherein the counter comprises a resistor pack in signal communication with the processor, wherein the processor is configured to disable one or more resistors of the resistor pack when the use indicator is configured to detect the one or more conditions of the power assembly.

35. The surgical instrument of claim 20, comprising a communications module configured to transmit the usage cycle count a remote system.

36. The surgical instrument of claim 35, wherein the communications module is configured to receive one or more instructions from the remote system.

37. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the one or more conditions of the surgical instrument comprise inserting a staple cartridge into the end effector.

38. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the one or more conditions of the surgical instrument comprise firing of the surgical instrument.

39. The surgical instrument of claim 20, comprising a display, wherein the display is configured to display the usage cycle count.

40. A sterilization system configured to sterilize a surgical instrument, the sterilization system comprising:

a sterilization chamber configured to receive a power assembly, the sterilization chamber comprising a charging cable mounted through a wall of the sterilization chamber, wherein the charging cable is sealed such that the sterilization chamber integrity is maintained; and

wherein the sterilization system is configured to charge the power assembly during a sterilization cycle.

41. The sterilization system of claim 40, comprising a sensor located within the sterilization chamber, the sensor configured to monitor the power assembly during a charging and sterilization cycle.

42. The sterilization system of claim 41, wherein the sensor comprises a sensor cable mounted through the wall of the sterilization chamber.

43. The sterilization system of claim 41, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor the charge level of the power assembly.

44. The sterilization system of claim 41, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor the temperature of the power assembly.

45. The sterilization system of claim 41, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor an amount of H₂O₂ present in the sterilization chamber.

46. The sterilization system of claim 40, wherein the charging cable comprises an alternating current input, wherein the power assembly comprises an alternating current charging circuit integral therewith, and wherein the alternating current charging circuit is coupled to the alternating current input when the power assembly is placed in the sterilization chamber.

47. The sterilization system of claim 40, wherein the charging cable comprises a battery connector at a first end located within the sterilization chamber and wherein the charging cable is coupled to a battery charger at a second end located outside of the sterilization chamber.