SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CONTROL UNIT AND REMOTE SENSOR
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
- an end effector comprising at least one sensor;
an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft; and
a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft, the handle housing a control unit, wherein the control unit is electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the control unit to the sensor and to receive radiated signals from the sensor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
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an end effector comprising at least one sensor; an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft; and a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft, the handle housing a control unit, wherein the control unit is electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the control unit to the sensor and to receive radiated signals from the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A surgical instrument comprising:
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an end effector comprising at least one sensor; an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft; and a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the control unit to the sensor and to receive radiated signals from the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A surgical instrument comprising:
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an end effector comprising at least one sensor; an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector, wherein the sensor is electrically coupled to the shaft; and a control unit electrically insulated from the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the sensor to the control unit and to receive radiated signals from the control unit.
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20. A method comprising:
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obtaining a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument comprises; an end effector comprising at least one sensor; a shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft; and a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the control unit to the sensor and to receive radiated signals from the sensor; sterilizing the surgical instrument; and storing the surgical instrument in a sterile container. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification