Surgical stapler having haptic feedback
First Claim
1. A surgical tool system comprising:
- a surgical tool operable to staple tissue, the tool including a distal portion including a tissue stapling mechanism connected to a handle via a shaft;
a sensor coupled to the surgical tool, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a tissue property;
a control system electrically connected to sensor, wherein the control system calculates sensor information from signals received from the sensor and processes the sensor information into signal commands;
a cutting element on the distal portion of the tool;
a displacement sensor coupled to two opposing jaw members at the distal portion of the tool;
a firing trigger coupled to the cutting element and the stapling mechanism; and
a feedback system including one or more haptic actuators coupled to the handle and electrically connected to the control system, wherein the control system communicates the signal commands to the feedback system and the feedback system uses the signal commands to generate haptic feedback relating to the sensor information to the handle,wherein the feedback system is configured to generate haptic feedback informing a user of the thickness of tissue located within the two opposing jaw members based on information from the displacement sensor, andwherein the one or more haptic actuators include a kinesthetic actuator coupled to the firing trigger to enable variable resistance to motion as the haptic feedback.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical tool system includes a surgical tool for cutting and stapling tissue and a tactile feedback system integrated onto a handle of the tool that generates relevant feedback in at least the form of haptic effects to the user. The tactile feedback alerts the user of tissue properties, i.e., the type of tissue or other structures located within the jaws of the stapler, whether the quantity or thickness of tissue located within the jaws of the stapler is appropriate for the selected stapler cartridge, whether the proper length of staples has been fired based on the length of tissue located in the jaws, whether a blood vessel is located within the jaws of the stapler, whether the stapling process has successfully sealed the tissue located within the jaws of the stapler, the position of the cutting element, and/or when the stapling procedure or firing cycle is completed.
1758 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A surgical tool system comprising:
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a surgical tool operable to staple tissue, the tool including a distal portion including a tissue stapling mechanism connected to a handle via a shaft; a sensor coupled to the surgical tool, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor a tissue property; a control system electrically connected to sensor, wherein the control system calculates sensor information from signals received from the sensor and processes the sensor information into signal commands; a cutting element on the distal portion of the tool; a displacement sensor coupled to two opposing jaw members at the distal portion of the tool; a firing trigger coupled to the cutting element and the stapling mechanism; and a feedback system including one or more haptic actuators coupled to the handle and electrically connected to the control system, wherein the control system communicates the signal commands to the feedback system and the feedback system uses the signal commands to generate haptic feedback relating to the sensor information to the handle, wherein the feedback system is configured to generate haptic feedback informing a user of the thickness of tissue located within the two opposing jaw members based on information from the displacement sensor, and wherein the one or more haptic actuators include a kinesthetic actuator coupled to the firing trigger to enable variable resistance to motion as the haptic feedback. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of providing feedback to a user during a tissue stapling surgical procedure, the method comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a tissue property during the tissue stapling surgical procedure via at least one sensor mounted on a distal portion of a surgical tool, wherein the tissue property is thickness; processing the sensor information; and communicating haptic feedback to a handle of the surgical tool, wherein the haptic feedback relates to the sensor information and informs a user that an inappropriate amount of tissue is located within two opposing jaw members coupled to the distal portion of the tool, wherein the haptic feedback includes a variable resistance to motion to a firing trigger disposed at the handle that causes a stapling mechanism of the tool to activate. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification