DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR ESTABLISHING ELECTRICAL AND FLUID CONNECTIONS TO SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

• US 20170311974A1
• Filed: 05/02/2016
• Published: 11/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: FRIEDRICHS, DANIEL A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,349,968 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• 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 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00075 Motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320084 Irrigation sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00023 closed, i.e. without wound contact by the fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00172 Connectors and adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00744 Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00863 Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0804 Counting number of instruments used; Instrument detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A cartridge includes an electrical connection assembly, a first port, a second port, a pumping mechanism, a valve, and a fluid flow sensor. The electrical connection assembly is configured to electrically couple to an electrosurgical unit. The first port is configured to fluidly couple to a fluid source. The second port is configured to fluidly and electrically couple to a surgical instrument. The pumping mechanism is disposed between the first and second ports and is configured to draw fluid from the fluid source and pump the fluid to the surgical instrument. The valve is disposed between the first and second ports and is configured to selectively obstruct the flow of the fluid therethrough. The fluid flow sensor is disposed between the first and second ports and is configured to sense fluid flow therethrough. The fluid flow sensor is configured to electrically communicate with the electrosurgical unit.

Claims

1. A cartridge, comprising:

an electrical connection assembly configured to electrically couple to an electrosurgical unit;

a first port configured to fluidly couple to a fluid source;

a second port configured to fluidly and electrically couple to a surgical instrument;

a pumping mechanism disposed between the first and second ports and configured to draw fluid from a fluid source and pump a fluid to the surgical instrument;

a valve disposed between the first and second ports and configured to selectively obstruct the flow of fluid therethrough; and

a fluid flow sensor disposed between the first and second ports and configured to sense fluid flow therethrough, the fluid flow sensor configured to electrically communicate with the electrosurgical unit.

2. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the pumping mechanism is configured to couple to the electrosurgical unit to enable the electrosurgical unit to at least one of power the pumping mechanism or control the operation thereof.

3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the pumping mechanism is one of an impeller pump, a rotary pump, or a peristaltic pump.

4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the valve is a pinch valve configured to couple to the electrosurgical unit to enable the electrosurgical unit to control the operation thereof.

5. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow sensor includes an optical assembly.

6. The cartridge of claim 5, wherein the optical assembly includes a photo transmitter and a receiver configured to sense a fluid flow, and wherein the sensed fluid flow is transmitted to the electrosurgical unit via the electrical connection assembly.

7. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow sensor is a turbine-style spinning wheel.

8. The cartridge of claim 7, wherein the turbine-style spinning wheel is configured to enable determination of a fluid flow therethrough via a photo transmitter and receiver of the electrosurgical unit.

9. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge further comprises a device identification mechanism configured to communicate with the electrosurgical unit.

10. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the cartridge is configured to withstand sterilization.

11. A system, comprising:

an ultrasonic surgical instrument including a removable ultrasonic transducer and an ultrasonic blade defining at least one internal lumen for circulation of fluid therethrough, the ultrasonic transducer operably coupled to and configured to drive the ultrasonic blade;

a fluid source;

an electrosurgical unit including a reception port having an electrical interface; and

a cartridge configured to be received within the reception port, the cartridge including;

an electrical connection assembly configured to engage the electrical interface of the reception port of the electrosurgical unit;

a first port configured to fluidly couple to the fluid source;

a second port configured to fluidly and electrically couple to the ultrasonic surgical instrument; and

a pumping mechanism disposed between the first and second ports and configured to draw fluid from the fluid source and pump the fluid to the ultrasonic surgical instrument for circulation through the at least one internal lumen of the ultrasonic blade.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the cartridge further includes:

a valve disposed between the first and second ports and configured to selectively obstruct the flow of the fluid therethrough; and

a fluid flow sensor disposed between the first and second ports and configured to sense fluid flow therethrough, the fluid flow sensor configured to electrically communicate with the electrosurgical unit.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein a drive shaft of the electrosurgical unit engages the pumping mechanism.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the electrosurgical unit is configured to produce a magnetic field to operate the pumping mechanism.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the fluid flow sensor includes an optical assembly.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the optical assembly includes a photo transmitter and receiver configured to sense a fluid flow, and wherein the sensed fluid flow is transmitted to the electrosurgical unit via the electrical connection assembly.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the fluid flow sensor is a turbine-style spinning wheel, and wherein the electrosurgical unit includes a photo transmitter and receiver configured to determine a fluid flow through the turbine-style spinning wheel.

18. A kit for performing a surgical procedure, the kit comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer configured to couple with a surgical instrument; and

a cartridge including;

an electrical connection assembly configured to electrically couple to an electrosurgical unit;

a first port configured to fluidly couple to a fluid source;

a second port configured to fluidly and electrically couple to the ultrasonic transducer;

a pumping mechanism disposed between the first and second ports and configured to draw fluid from a fluid source and pump a fluid to the surgical instrument via the ultrasonic transducer;

a valve disposed between the first and second ports and configured to selectively obstruct the flow of fluid therethrough; and

a fluid flow sensor disposed between the first and second ports and configured to sense fluid flow therethrough, the fluid flow sensor configured to electrically communicate with the electrosurgical unit.

19. The kit according to claim 18, further comprising a fluid source.

20. The kit according to claim 18, further comprising a cable interconnecting the second port and the ultrasonic assembly.