Surgical apparatus with indicator

• US 5,464,144 A
• Filed: 10/08/1993
• Issued: 11/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: United States Surgical Corporation (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Alesi, Thomas W. Jr., Stone, Corbett W., Webster, John, Pratt, James R., Granger, Richard N., Brady, Robert H., Guy, Thomas D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US08/134,353
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175, 227/176, 227/179, 227/180, 227/181, 128/4
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• 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 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0725 with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/061 for measuring dimensions, e.g. length

Abstract

An apparatus and system are disclosed for indicating relative positions of elements in a surgical apparatus. The indicating elements can include electrical circuitry for activating visual, audible or tactile indicators, thereby alerting the user that an event has occurred with respect to the instrument.

Claims

1. A surgical fastening apparatus comprising:

a housing having a cartridge receiving portion;

a voltage source disposed within said surgical fastening apparatus; and

first and second electrical contact members disposed within said surgical fastening apparatus and connected to said voltage source, wherein insertion of a cartridge to a predetermined position within said cartridge receiving portion electrically connects said first contact member and said second contact member thereby completing an electrical circuit.

2. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cartridge receiving portion extends distally from said housing.

3. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said electrical contacts is disposed within said housing.

4. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second contact members is disposed within a switch member.

5. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 4 wherein said switch member comprises a housing and a plunger at least partially received within said housing for electrically connecting said first and second contact members.

6. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1 wherein completion of said electric circuit activates an indicator.

7. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 6 wherein said indicator comprises a light indicator.

8. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1 wherein said voltage source is a battery.

9. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a cartridge, said cartridge including a cartridge housing and at least one fastener disposed within said cartridge housing.

10. The surgical fastening apparatus of claim 9 wherein said at least one fastener is linearly disposed within said cartridge.