SYSTEM FOR MONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED

• US 20160249916A1
• Filed: 02/27/2015
• Published: 09/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Morgan, Jerome R., Harris, Jason L., Baxter, Chester O. III
• Granted Patent: US 10,321,907 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 17/072 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 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1628 Motors; Power supplies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0003 of parts of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• 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 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00402 Piezo electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00469 for insertion of instruments, e.g. guide wire, optical fibre
• 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 2017/00716 : simulating physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 : Calibration or performance testing
• 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 2017/07285 : characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 : Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0809 : Indication of cracks or breakages
• 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 2090/0812 : indicating loosening or shifting of parts of an instrument, signaling maladjustment of parts
• 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 2560/0214 : of power generation or supply
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/33 : Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/70 : Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/26 : Accessories or devices or components used for biocidal treatment
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/28 : Devices for testing the effectiveness or completeness of sterilisation, e.g. indicators which change colour apparatus involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M1/34; methods involving enzymes or microorganisms C12Q1/00
• 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 5/006 : Vibration damping means
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/006 : Storage means specially adapted for one specific hand apparatus, e.g. an electric drill
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/20 : for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 : for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0445 : Multimode batteries, e.g. containing auxiliary cells or electrodes switchable in parallel or series connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 : Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 : Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6235 : Power tools
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/658 : by thermal insulation or shielding
• 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: H01M 50/24 : adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/242 : adapted for protecting batteries against vibrations, collision impact or swelling
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 : specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/262 : with fastening means, e.g. locks
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/267 : having means for adapting to batteries or cells of different types or different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2207/40 : adapted for charging from various sources, e.g. AC, DC or multivoltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 : Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00036 : Charger exchanging data with battery
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00047 : with provisions for charging different types of batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0013 : acting upon several batteries simultaneously or sequentially H02J7/1423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0014 : Circuits for equalisation of charge between batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 : characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/005 : Detection of state of health [SOH]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/342 : The other DC source being a battery actively interacting with the first one, i.e. battery to battery charging with circuits for polarity protection H02J7/0034
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 : Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed which comprises a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure and an inspection station for connection to the handle module when the handle module is not being used in a surgical procedure. The handle module comprises a handle module memory circuit for storing handle module usage data for the handle module. The inspection station comprises an inspection station processor circuit for determining one or more service recommendations for the handle module based on the handle module usage data stored in the memory of the handle module and based on service recommendation criteria.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, wherein the handle module comprises a handle module memory circuit for storing handle module usage data for the handle module; and

an inspection station for connection to the handle module when the handle module is not being used in a surgical procedure, wherein the inspection station comprises an inspection station processor circuit for determining one or more service recommendations for the handle module based on the handle module usage data stored in the memory of the handle module and based on service recommendation criteria.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inspection station further comprises a display that is in communication with the inspection station processor circuit, and wherein the display is for displaying information about the one or more service recommendations.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the service recommendation criteria are stored in an inspection station memory of the inspection station, and wherein the inspection station processor circuit is in communication with the inspection station memory.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle module comprises a handle module processor circuit in communication with the handle module memory circuit, and wherein the handle module processor circuit is in communication with the inspection station processor circuit when the handle module is connected to the inspection station such that usage data from the handle module memory is downloadable to the inspection station.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle module usage data comprises data selected from the group consisting of:

data regarding a number of surgical procedures involving the handle module;

data regarding a number of device firings by the handle module;

data regarding the power expended during the device firings of the handle module;

data regarding the forces experienced during the device firings of the handle module;

data regarding energy consumed by an electric motor of the handle module over the life of the handle module; and

data regarding gear backlash for a rotary drive system of the handle module.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that the handle module be rebuilt.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that one or more components of the handle module be lubricated.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that one or more components of the handle module be inspected.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, wherein the handle module comprises;

a handle module memory circuit for storing handle module usage data for the handle module; and

a handle module processor circuit for determining one or more service recommendations for the handle module based on the handle module usage data stored in the memory of the handle module and based on service recommendation criteria.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the handle module further comprises a display that is in communication with the handle module processor circuit, and wherein the display is for displaying information about the one or more service recommendations.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the handle module usage data comprises data selected from the group consisting of:

data regarding a number of surgical procedures involving the handle module;

data regarding a number of device firings by the handle module;

data regarding the power expended during the device firings of the handle module;

data regarding the forces experienced during the device firings of the handle module;

data regarding energy consumed by an electric motor of the handle module over the life of the handle module; and

data regarding gear backlash for a rotary drive system of the handle module.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that the handle module be rebuilt.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that one or more components of the handle module be lubricated.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that one or more components of the handle module be inspected.