Identification device for surgical instrument

• US 5,535,937 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 07/16/1996
• 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:
  US08/472,101
• Time in Patent Office: 405 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175, 227/176, 227/179, 227/19, 227/8, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/179.1, 227/19, 227/175.2, 227/175.3, 227/174.4, 227/180.1, 128/4
• US Class Current: 227/175.3
• 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 with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• 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 2017/00482 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.

Claims

1. An surgical fastening instrument having an end effector comprising:

first and second jaw members for engaging and fastening tissue;

said first jaw member comprising a removable cartridge containing surgical fastening means; and

a cartridge channel, said end effector having an electrical identification device for identifying cartridge type, wherein said identification device comprises an impedance element having a measurable, predetermined electrical characteristic.

2. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 1 wherein said identification device is contained in said first jaw member.

3. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 2 wherein stapling and firing functions are assisted by an electromechanical control means.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3 further comprising a lockout means for preventing instrument firing when an inappropriate cartridge condition is indicated by said identification device.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4 wherein said lockout means is controlled by internal logic of the control means.

6. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 2 further comprising indicating means for indicating to user an inappropriate cartridge condition.

7. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 1 wherein said impedance element has a predetermined electrical impedance;

and wherein said impedance corresponds to an instrument characteristic.

8. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 7 wherein said impedance element comprises a resistor.

9. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 7 wherein said impedance element comprises a capacitor.

10. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 7 wherein said impedance element comprises an inductor.

11. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 10 further comprising a fuse in series with said impedance element, said fuse capable of being blown by a current applied to said fuse when said instrument is fired.

12. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 7 further comprising a fuse in series with said impedance element, said fuse capable of being blown by a current applied to said fuse when said instrument is fired.

13. The surgical fastening instrument of claim 7 wherein said impedance element is a fuse having a predetermined resistance.

14. A removable cartridge for a surgical stapling instrument comprising an electrical identification device for identifying cartridge type wherein said identification device comprises an impedance element having a measurable, predetermined electrical characteristic.

15. The cartridge of claim 14 wherein said impedance element has a predetermined electrical impedance.

16. The cartridge of claim 15 wherein said impedance element comprises a resistor.

17. The cartridge of claim 15 wherein said impedance element comprises a capacitor.

18. The cartridge of claim 15 wherein said impedance element comprises a inductor.

19. The cartridge of claim 18 further comprising a fuse in series with said impedance element, said fuse capable of being blown by a current applied to said fuse when said instrument is fired.

20. The cartridge of claim 15 further comprising a fuse in series with said impedance element, said fuse capable of being blown by a current applied to said fuse when said instrument is fired.

21. The cartridge of claim 15 wherein said impedance element is a fuse.

22. The cartridge of claim 15 wherein said impedance element comprises a fuse.