Identification device for surgical instrument

• US 5,562,239 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 10/08/1996
• 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:
  US08/484,746
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175, 227/176, 227/178, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/175.2, 227/175.3, 128/4
• US Class Current: 227/175.2
• 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 sensing the firing of a staple cartridge inserted into an end piece or end effector of a surgical instrument. The stapling instrument includes a magnetic sensing device arranged to sense the advancement of a knife or staple driver.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling instrument comprising:

a removable cartridge containing staples;

a driving means for firing said staples; and

a sensing means for detecting instrument firing, said sensing means capable of providing an electrical signal indicating an instrument firing

wherein said sensing means comprises a magnetic element and a magnetic sensor, said magnetic sensor arranged to sense said magnetic element when an instrument firing has occurred and to provide a corresponding signal.

2. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 1 wherein said corresponding signal indicates to a control unit that a firing has occurred and the control unit counts the number of firings which have occurred.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a control unit, and means for communicating a signal from said sensors to said control unit;

wherein said control unit is capable of interpreting said signal and preventing firing of instrument when the signal indicates an inappropriate firing condition.

4. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 1 wherein said cartridge is capable of firing staples more than once.