Surgical stapler with timer and feedback display

• US 8,157,150 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2011
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Viola, Frank J., Krehel, Gregg, Soltz, Michael A., DeSantis, Robert J., Holsten, Henry E., Heinrich, Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US13/277,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20120031947A1
• Time in Patent Office: 180 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/176.1, 227/175.1, 227/175.2, 227/180.1, 606/139, 606/219
• US Class Current: 227/175.2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/068 Surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clampsstaplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105; for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; staplers in general B25C5/00
• 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 17/12 for ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels, umbilical cord specially adapted for vas deferens or fallopian tubes A61F6/20; materials for ligaturing blood vessels A61L17/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• 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

Abstract

A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.

Claims

1. A surgical stapler comprising:

a handle assembly including a trigger;

a clamping device having a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and an anvil to compress tissue therebetween;

a drive assembly at least partially located within the handle and connected to the clamping device;

a controller operatively coupled to a first switch and a second switch; and

a motor with a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the drive mechanism engages a drive screw intended to rotate from an initial position and actuate the first switch, wherein the drive screw traverses a predetermined distance to ensure tissue compression by the clamping device and actuates the second switch.

2. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the handle has a visual indicator operatively connected to the controller having a first light and a second light.

3. The surgical stapler of claim 2, wherein upon actuation of the first switch, the controller actuates the first light.

4. The surgical stapler of claim 3, wherein upon actuation of the second switch, the controller actuates the second light.

5. The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein upon actuation of the second switch, the controller reverses the direction of the drive screw returning the drive screw to the initial position.

6. The surgical stapler of claim 5, wherein the handle has a third light operatively coupled to the controller, wherein upon the drive screw returning to the initial position, the controller actuates the third light.