Identification device for surgical instrument

• US 5,529,235 A
• Filed: 04/28/1994
• Issued: 06/25/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Boiarski, Anthony A., Byrne, Mark T., Williamson, Warren P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US08/234,749
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/8, 227/175, 227/180, 227/176, 227/175.1, 227/180.1, 227/176.1, 606/142, 128/4
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0003 of parts of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• 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 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6018 providing set-up signals for the apparatus configuration
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/6063 Optical identification systems

Abstract

A device is provided for identifying certain characteristics of an end piece or end effector of a surgical instrument. A preferred embodiment provides a surgical stapling instrument having an electrical circuit contained on the stapling cartridge which is capable of indicating cartridge type and/or status (i.e., with or without staples) when a voltage or current is applied to the circuit. Other identification devices are provided including an optical identification device

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising an end piece having an end piece characteristic to be identified, wherein said end piece comprises an electrical identification device having a measurable characteristic corresponding to said end piece characteristic, wherein said identification device of said end piece is adapted to be coupled to a sensing device for measuring said electrical characteristic, wherein said electrical identification device comprises a mechanically activated fuse.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said end piece comprises an end effector and an instrument shaft.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the instrument further comprises a handpiece having a distal end;

wherein said end piece further comprises a proximal end; and

wherein said handpiece is coupled at its distal end to the proximal end of said end piece.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said instrument further comprises a cutting element located in said end piece, for severing tissue;

and wherein said mechanically activated fuse is a ribbon which is cut by said cutting element when said instrument is fired.

5. A surgical fastening instrument comprising a actuating element having a distal end and an end effector coupled to the distal end of said actuating element, said end effector comprising:

first and second jaw members for engaging and stapling tissue;

said first jaw member comprising a cartridge containing a surgical fastener, and a cartridge channel capable of receiving a removable cartridge, said cartridge having an identification device having a measurable characteristic corresponding to a cartridge firing status, wherein said identification device is adapted to be coupled to a sensing device for measuring said characteristic;

wherein said identification device comprises a mechanically activated fuse.

6. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 5 wherein said instrument further comprises a cutting element located in said end effector, for severing tissue, and wherein said mechanically activated fuse is a ribbon arranged on said cartridge to be cut by said cutting element when said instrument is actuated by said actuating element.

7. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 5 wherein said actuating element comprises an electromechanical controller arranged to assist stapling and cutting functions of said end effector.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7 further comprising a lockout device for preventing instrument firing when an inappropriate cartridge condition is indicated by said identification device.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8 wherein said electromechanical controller includes internal logic for controlling said lockout device.

10. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 8 further comprising indication means for indicating to a user, an inappropriate cartridge condition.

11. A cartridge containing staples for a surgical stapling instrument comprising an electrical identification device having a measurable characteristic corresponding to a cartridge firing status, wherein said identification device is adapted to be coupled to a sensing device for measuring said characteristic;

wherein said electrical identification device comprises a mechanically activated fuse.

12. The cartridge of claim 11 wherein said mechanically activated fuse is a ribbon arranged to be severed by a cutting located in an instrument into which the cartridge is inserted, when the instrument is fired.

13. A surgical stapling instrument comprising:

an actuating element having a distal end and an end effector coupled to the distal end of said actuating element, said end effector comprising;

first and second members for engaging and stapling tissue therebetween, said first member comprising a removable cartridge containing staples;

a driver located in the end effector, for firing said staples through tissue engaged between said members; and

a sensing device coupled to said end effector, for detecting instrument firing, said sensing device capable of providing an electrical signal indicating an occurrence of an instrument firing;

wherein said sensing device comprises an electrical identification device and a sensor arranged to provide a sensing signal to said identification device to sense an electrical characteristic of said identification device, said electrical characteristic adapted to indicate whether or not the instrument has been fired; and

wherein the identification device includes a mechanically activated fuse.