SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CONTROL UNIT AND REMOTE SENSOR

• US 20160000437A1
• Filed: 09/09/2015
• Published: 01/07/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Giordano, James R., Swayze, Jeffrey S., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Application Number:
  US14/848,557
• Publication Number:
  US 20160000437A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/072 for applying a row of staples in a single action , e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1222 Packages or dispensers therefor clip magazines incorporated in a clip-applying instrument A61B17/128; for surgical articles A61B50/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• 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 2017/00362 Packages or dispensers for MIS instruments A61B2017/0479 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 : additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 : with stapling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2053 : Tracking an applied voltage gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2059 : Mechanical position encoders
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 : Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• 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 2090/0811 : 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 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 : Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 : Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/04 : Packaging single articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/16 : by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/18 : by liquids or gases B65B55/14 takes precedence

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.

Claims

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.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the handle further houses:

a motor in communication with the control unit and for powering the end effector; and

a battery for powering the motor.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a magnetoresistive sensor.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a RFID sensor.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a MEMS sensor.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an electromechanical sensor.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is connected to a plastic cartridge of the end effector.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises an electrically conductive component coupled to the shaft, wherein the electrically conductive component is configured to radiate data signals to and from the sensor.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises an endoscopic surgical instrument.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a cutting and fastening surgical instrument.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the end effector comprises a cutting instrument.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the end effector comprises a plastic cartridge and the at least one sensor is disposed in the cartridge.

14. 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 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.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, further comprising:

a motor in communication with the control unit and for powering the end effector; and

a battery for powering the motor

16. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the at least one sensor is connected to a plastic cartridge of the end effector.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the end effector comprises an electrically conductive component coupled to the shaft, wherein the electrically conductive component is configured to radiate data signals to and from the sensor.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein the end effector comprises a plastic staple cartridge and the at least one sensor is disposed in the staple cartridge.

19. 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 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.

20. A method comprising:

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.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising remotely programming the control unit while the instrument is in the sterile container.