POWER MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

• US 20150272582A1
• 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., Overmyer, Mark D., Adams, Shane R., Swensgard, Brett E.
• Application Number:
  US14/226,106
• Publication Number:
  US 20150272582A1
• 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 surgical instrument including a handle assembly and an interchangeable shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes an elongate shaft, and an end effector extending distally from the elongate shaft. The handle assembly includes a motor configured to effectuate at least one motion in the end effector while said handle assembly is coupled to the shaft assembly. A power assembly is separably couplable to the handle assembly. The power assembly includes a power source configured to power the motor and a power management controller in communication with the power source. The power management controller is configured to receive an input signal corresponding to at least one power requirement of the shaft assembly. The power management controller is configured to modulate power output of the power source to the motor to conform the power output with the at least one power requirement of the shaft assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an interchangeable shaft assembly, comprising;

an elongate shaft; and

an end effector extending distally from said elongate shaft;

a handle assembly separably couplable to said interchangeable shaft assembly, wherein said handle assembly includes a motor configured to effectuate at least one motion in said end effector while said handle assembly is coupled to said interchangeable shaft assembly; and

a power assembly separably couplable to said handle assembly, said power assembly comprising;

a power source configured to power said motor while said power assembly is coupled to said handle assembly; and

a power management controller in communication with said power source, wherein said power management controller is configured to receive an input signal corresponding to at least one power requirement of said interchangeable shaft assembly while said handle assembly is coupled to said interchangeable shaft assembly and while said handle assembly is coupled to said power assembly, and wherein said power management controller is configured to modulate power output of said power source to said motor to conform said power output with said at least one power requirement of said interchangeable shaft assembly.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said interchangeable shaft assembly comprises a shaft assembly controller.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein said handle assembly comprises an interface between said interchangeable shaft assembly and said power assembly.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein said interface comprises a shaft assembly connector and a power assembly connector

5. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein said interface is configured to permit communication between said shaft assembly controller and said power management controller.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein said input signal is configured to travel through said interface.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said power source comprises a battery.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein said battery is rechargeable.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said end effector comprises a cutting member slidably moveable a distance along said end effector to cut tissue captured by said end effector, and wherein said at least one power requirement depends on said distance.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a lockout mechanism, wherein said lockout mechanism comprises:

a first mating element on said power assembly; and

a second mating element on said handle assembly for mating engagement with said first mating element when said power assembly is coupled to said handle assembly.

11. A power assembly for use with a plurality of interchangeable surgical instruments, the interchangeable surgical instruments each comprising a controller, said power assembly comprising:

an interface for separably coupling said power assembly to the interchangeable surgical instruments;

a power source configured to power a coupled interchangeable surgical instrument; and

a memory configured to store at least one value of at least one parameter of said power source, wherein said interface is configured to facilitate electrical communication between said memory and the controller of the coupled interchangeable surgical instrument, wherein said memory is configured to receive said at least one value of said at least one parameter of said power source from the controller of the coupled interchangeable surgical instrument through said interface.

12. The power assembly of claim 11, wherein the plurality of interchangeable surgical instruments include a first surgical instrument including a first controller and a second surgical instrument including a second controller, wherein said memory is configured to receive a first update of said at least one value of said at least one parameter from the first controller while said power assembly is coupled to the first surgical instrument, and wherein said memory is configured to receive a second update of said at least one value of said at least one parameter from the second controller while said power assembly is coupled to the second surgical instrument.

13. The power assembly of claim 12, wherein said first update comprises a first value based on a first input received by the first controller while said power assembly is coupled to the first surgical instrument.

14. The power assembly of claim 13, wherein said second update comprises a second value based on a second input received by the second controller while said power assembly is coupled to the second surgical instrument.

15. The power assembly of claim 11, wherein said at least one parameter of said power source is a state of charge of said power source.

16. The power assembly of claim 15, further comprising a coulomb counter configured to measure said state of charge of said power source.

17. A surgical instrument for use in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:

a working assembly, comprising;

an end effector; and

a working assembly controller;

a power assembly separably couplable to said working assembly;

a power source; and

a power assembly controller, wherein said working assembly controller is configured to generate a signal to communicate with said power assembly controller by modulating power transmission from said power source to said working assembly.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein said working assembly controller is configured to generate said signal to communicate with said power assembly controller by modulating current drawn from said power source to said working assembly.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein said working assembly comprises a motor, and wherein said motor is configured to effectuate at least one motion in said end effector.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein said working assembly controller is configured to generate said signal to communicate with said power assembly controller by modulating power transmission from said power source to said motor.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein said power assembly controller is configured to perform a function in response to said signal from said working assembly controller.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 21, wherein said function comprises designating a power source characteristic.

23. The surgical instrument of claim 22, wherein said power source characteristic comprises a maximum power output of said power source.

24. A communication system for use with a surgical instrument comprising a working assembly and a power assembly separably couplable to the working assembly, said communication system comprising:

a first communication portion associated with the working assembly, said first communication portion comprising a first controller; and

a second communication portion associated with the power assembly, said second communication portion comprising a second controller, wherein said first controller is electrically connectable to said second controller, and wherein said first controller is configured to generate and transmit a signal to communicate with said second controller by modulating power transmission from the power assembly to the working assembly.