Endoscopic surgical system with sensing means

• US 5,518,163 A
• Filed: 05/26/1995
• Issued: 05/21/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Incorporated (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Hooven, Michael D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US08/451,345
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175, 227/179, 227/901, 606/142, 606/38, 128/4, 128/20
• US Class Current: 227/5
• 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 17/072 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 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2905 flexible
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32113 with extendable or retractable guard or blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 227/901 Surgical clip appliers

Abstract

An endoscopic surgical system which includes an instrument for carrying out a step in the procedure. The instrument is power operated and the system includes sensing elements to control the operation of the instrument.

Claims

1. A system for use in an endoscopic procedure comprising:

a) an endoscopic instrument, said instrument having a head portion for carrying out a step in the procedure, a handle portion and a rotatable shaft connecting said head portion and said handle portion;

b) means for rotating said rotatable shaft;

c) means disposed in the head of the instrument for translating the rotational motion of the shaft into the desired force useful in carrying out the step in the procedure;

d) sensing means attached to said instrument to measure the force used in carrying out the step in the procedure, and

e) control means, interconnected with said sensing means, to control the operation of the instrument while carrying out the step in the procedure.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the means for rotating said rotatable shaft is a D.C. motor.

3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the D.C. motor is releasably connected to the instrument.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein said instrument is a cutting and stapling instrument and said head portion comprises a staple holding member and an anvil member pivotally connected at one end of said staple holding member.

5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the means for rotating said rotatable shaft is a D.C. motor.

6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the D.C. motor is releasably connected to the instrument.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said instrument is a cutting and stapling instrument, said head portion comprises a staple holding member and an anvil member pivotally connected at one end of said staple holding member, the means for rotating the rotatable shaft is a D.C. motor and the sensing means is disposed in the head portion of the instrument to detect at least one property of tissue placed between said head portion and said anvil portion.

8. A system according to claim 4 which includes sensing means disposed in said head portion for detecting the presence or absence of staples in said staple holding member.