Surgical stapling instrument having load sensing control circuitry
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- an end effector comprising first and second opposing compression surfaces;
a shaft proximally attached to the end effector;
a handle portion proximally attached to the shaft comprising an actuating mechanism operatively coupled through the shaft to selectively actuate the end effector;
a pressure transducer positioned to receive a compression load when the end effector is actuated; and
control circuitry responsive to a signal received from the pressure transducer to generate a control signal.
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Abstract
A surgical instrument for being endoscopically or laparoscopically inserted into a surgical site for simultaneous stapling and severing of tissue includes load sensing pressure transducers strategically placed for closed loop control and monitoring. Load sensing within a staple applying assembly (end effector) may provide feedback for preventing firing with insufficient or too much tissue, or to sense appropriate presence buttress material, to deploy buttress material after firing is sensed.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector comprising first and second opposing compression surfaces; a shaft proximally attached to the end effector; a handle portion proximally attached to the shaft comprising an actuating mechanism operatively coupled through the shaft to selectively actuate the end effector; a pressure transducer positioned to receive a compression load when the end effector is actuated; and control circuitry responsive to a signal received from the pressure transducer to generate a control signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a staple applying assembly comprising first and second opposing compression surfaces; a shaft proximally attached to the staple applying assembly; a firing member received for longitudinal reciprocation in the shaft; a handle portion proximally attached to the shaft operatively coupled through the shaft to close the first and second opposing compression surfaces upon tissue and to translate the firing member to actuate the staple applying assembly; an electrical actuator responsive to a command signal; a pressure transducer positioned to receive a compression load when the end effector is actuated; and control circuitry responsive to a signal received from the pressure transducer to generate the control signal. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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24. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector; a shaft proximally attached to the end effector; a firing member received for longitudinal reciprocation in the shaft; a handle portion proximally attached to the shaft and operatively configured to translate the firing member to actuate the end effector; a pressure transducer positioned to receive a compression load in response to a translation of the firing member; and control circuitry responsive to a signal received from the pressure transducer to generate a control signal. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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an end effector; a shaft proximally attached to the end effector; an articulation joint formed in the shaft; a pressure transducer positioned to receive a compression load in response to articulation movement of the articulation joint; and control circuitry responsive to a signal received from the pressure transducer to generate a control signal. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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Specification