Electrical surgical instrument with optimized power supply and drive

• US 8,573,462 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2007
• Issued: 11/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Smith, Kevin W., Bales, Thomas O., Deville, Derek Dee, Rivera, Carlos, Palmer, Matthew A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Desai, Hemant M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Weeks, Gloria R
• Application Number:
  US11/705,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20070270884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,458 Days
• Field of Search: 227/179.1, 227/19
• US Class Current: 227/179.1
• 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 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/032 pressure limiting, e.g. hydrostatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/03 Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes an end effector having an actuator effecting a surgical procedure when actuated, an electric motor operating the actuator, and a power supply actuating the actuator when power is supplied to the motor. The power supply has a battery cell with a given rated power for an operating period of over 15 seconds and for a total aggregate operating time of over 300 seconds. The motor and power supply are configured to utilize the battery cell at a power greater than the given rated power. The motor characteristics are selected to utilize the battery cell for periods of operation of less than 16 seconds and for a total aggregate operating time of less than 300 seconds. A one-handed handle contains all of the power supply, at least part of an anvil control assembly, and at least part of an electrically-powered stapler/cutter control assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having an actuator to effect a surgical procedure when actuated;

an electric motor being operationally connected to said end effector to operate said actuator;

a power supply electrically connected to said motor and actuating said actuator when said power supply powers said motor, said power supply having at least one battery cell with a given rated power for an operating period of greater than 15 seconds; and

said motor and said power supply being configured to utilize said battery cell at a power greater than said given rated power.

2. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein said end effector is selected from one of the group consisting of:

a circular surgical stapler; and

a linear surgical stapler having a stapler cartridge between approximately 30 mm and approximately 100 mm in length.

3. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having an actuator to effect a surgical procedure when actuated;

an electric motor being operationally connected to said end effector to operate said actuator;

a power supply electrically connected to said motor and actuating said actuator when said power supply powers said motor, said power supply having at least one battery cell with a given rated power for a total aggregate operating time of greater than 300 seconds; and

said motor and said power supply being configured to utilize said battery cell at a power greater than said given rated power.

4. The instrument according to claim 3, wherein said end effector is selected from one of the group consisting of:

a circular surgical stapler; and

a linear surgical stapler having a stapler cartridge between approximately 30 mm and approximately 100 mm in length.

5. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having an actuator to effect a surgical procedure when actuated;

an electric motor being operationally connected to said end effector to operate said actuator;

a power supply electrically connected to said motor and actuating said actuator when said power supply powers said motor, said power supply having at least one battery cell with a given rated current for an operating period of greater than 15 seconds; and

said motor and said power supply being configured to utilize said battery cell at a current greater than said given rated current.

6. The instrument according to claim 5, wherein said end effector is selected from one of the group consisting of:

a circular surgical stapler; and

a linear surgical stapler having a stapler cartridge between approximately 30 mm and approximately 100 mm in length.

7. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having an actuator to effect a surgical procedure when actuated;

an electric motor being operationally connected to said end effector to operate said actuator;

a power supply electrically connected to said motor and actuating said actuator when said power supply powers said motor, said power supply having at least one battery cell with a given rated current for a total aggregate operating time of greater than 300 seconds; and

said motor and said power supply being configured to utilize said battery cell at a current greater than said given rated current.

8. The instrument according to claim 7, wherein said end effector is selected from one of the group consisting of:

a circular surgical stapler; and

a linear surgical stapler having a stapler cartridge between approximately 30 mm and approximately 100 mm in length.

9. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having an actuator to effect a surgical procedure when actuated;

an electric motor having motor characteristics and being operationally connected to said end effector to operate said actuator;

a power supply electrically connected to said motor and actuating said actuator when said power supply powers said motor, said power supply having at least one battery cell; and

said motor characteristics being selected to utilize said battery cell at a power greater than a given rated power of the battery for periods of operation of less than 16 seconds.

10. The instrument according to claim 9, wherein said end effector is selected from one of the group consisting of:

a circular surgical stapler; and

a linear surgical stapler having a stapler cartridge between approximately 30 mm and approximately 100 mm in length.

11. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having an actuator to effect a surgical procedure when actuated;

an electric motor having motor characteristics and being operationally connected to said end effector to operate said actuator;

a power supply electrically connected to said motor and actuating said actuator when said power supply powers said motor, said power supply having at least one battery cell; and

said motor characteristics being selected to utilize said battery cell at a power greater than a given rated power of the battery for a total aggregate operating time of less than 300 seconds.

12. The instrument according to claim 11, wherein said end effector is selected from one of the group consisting of:

a circular surgical stapler; and

a linear surgical stapler having a stapler cartridge between approximately 30 mm and approximately 100 mm in length.