SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT

• US 20150277471A1
• 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 9,804,618 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 method for controlling a surgical instrument. The method includes connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage, energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage, and energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, one or more voltage converters configured to provide one or more operating voltages to one or more circuit components.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage;

energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage; and

energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, one or more voltage converters configured to provide one or more operating voltages to one or more circuit components.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, a first regulator configured to provide a first operating voltage to a first subset of the one or more circuit components.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising energizing, by the first regulator convertor, a second regulator configured to provide a second operating voltage to a second subset of the one or more circuit components.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the voltage boost convertor, the first regulator, and the second regulator are coupled in a daisy chain configuration.

5. The method of claim 4, comprising providing, by the power assembly, a voltage of about 12 volts, the set voltage comprises a voltage of about 13 volts, the first operating voltage comprises a voltage of about 5 volts, and the second operating voltage comprises a voltage of about 3.3 volts.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, an organic light emitting diode.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising verifying, by a processor, the set voltage by comparing the set voltage to a predetermined threshold voltage.

8. The method of claim 7, comprising generating, by an independent voltage regulator, a constant voltage, wherein the constant voltage is provided to the processor.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising producing, by the independent voltage regulator, a voltage of 3.3V.

10. A surgical instrument control circuit, comprising:

a power assembly configured to provide a source voltage;

a voltage boost convertor coupled to the power assembly, the voltage boost convertor configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage; and

a first voltage regulator coupled to the voltage boost convertor, wherein the first voltage regulator is configured to provide a first operation voltage, wherein the first operational voltage is less than the set voltage.

11. The control circuit of claim 10, comprising a second voltage regulator coupled to the first voltage regulator, wherein the second voltage regulator is configured to provide a second operational voltage, wherein the second operational voltage is less than the first operational voltage, and wherein the voltage boost convertor, the first voltage regulator, and the second voltage regulator are coupled in a daisy chain configuration.

12. The control circuit of claim 11, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a voltage of about 12 volts, the set voltage comprises a voltage of about 13 volts, the first operating voltage comprises a voltage of about 5 volts, and the second operating voltage comprises a voltage of about 3.3 volts

13. The control circuit of claim 11, wherein the first voltage regulator is coupled to a first plurality of circuit components and the second voltage regulator is coupled to a second plurality of circuit components.

14. The control circuit of claim 11, comprising an independent voltage regulator configured to generate a constant voltage for one or more critical circuit components.

15. The control circuit of claim 14, wherein one or more critical circuit components comprise a safety processor.

16. The control circuit of claim 14, wherein the independent voltage regulator is configured to produce a voltage of 3.3V.

17. A method for controlling a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage;

energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage; and

energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, a safety processor.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising energizing, by the safety processor, a first voltage regulator configured to provide a first operating voltage to a first set of circuit components.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising energizing, by the safety processor, a second voltage regulator configured to provide a second operating voltage to a second set of circuit components.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a voltage of about 12 volts, the set voltage comprises a voltage of about 13 volts, the first operating voltage comprises a voltage of about 5 volts, and the second operating voltage comprises a voltage of about 3.3 volts.