Motorized cutting and fastening instrument having control circuit for optimizing battery usage

• US 8,622,274 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2008
• Issued: 01/07/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Yates, David C., Huitema, Thomas W., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Elve, Alexandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US12/031,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20090209979A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,154 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 227/19
• US Class Current: 227/176.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1482 having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00203 with speech control or speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• 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 2017/0088 ceramic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07242 achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0725 with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2932 Transmission of forces to jaw members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00107 Coatings on the energy applicator
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00148 with metal
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0016 Energy applicators arranged in a two- or three dimensional array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00619 : Welding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00654 : with individual control of each of a plurality of energy emitting elements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 : Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 : with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00922 : by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00952 : rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00982 : combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/124 : switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/031 : torque limiting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 27/004 : with permanent magnets combined with electromagnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 27/01 : with permanent magnets

Abstract

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument. The instrument comprises an end effector and a shaft connected to the end effector. The shaft comprises a drive train for powering the end effector. The instrument also comprises a handle connected to the shaft. The handle comprises an electric, DC motor connected to the drive train for powering the drive train and a DC power source comprising one or more batteries. The handle also comprises a power regulator having an input connected to the DC power source and an output connected to an input of the motor. The power regulator comprises a power converter and a control circuit for controlling the power converter. The control circuit controls the voltage set point for the power converter so that voltage delivered from the power source is less than the voltage at which the power source delivers maximum power.

Claims

1. A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprising:

an end effector;

a shaft connected to the end effector, the shaft comprising a drive train for powering the end effector; and

a handle connected to the shaft, the handle comprising;

an electric, DC motor connected to the drive train for powering the drive train;

a DC power source comprising one or more batteries; and

a power regulator having an input connected to the DC power source and an output connected to an input of the motor, wherein the power regulator comprises;

a power converter; and

a control circuit for controlling the power converter, wherein the control circuit is for controlling a voltage set point for the power converter so that voltage delivered from the power source to the motor is less than the voltage at which the power source delivers maximum power.

2. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 1, wherein the power converter comprises a DC-DC power converter.

3. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 2, wherein the DC-DC power converter comprises a switch-mode power converter.

4. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 3, wherein the DC-DC power converter comprises a buck-boost converter.

5. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises at least one RF electrode.

6. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 1, further comprising a torque-limiting device connected to an output pole of the motor.

7. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 1, further comprising a power source selection switch connected to the power source.

8. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises:

an upper jaw;

a lower jaw opposing the upper jaw; and

a cutting instrument disposed in a longitudinal channel defined by the lower jaw.

9. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 8, wherein the lower jaw comprises a staple cartridge.

10. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 9, wherein the upper jaw comprises at least one RF electrode.

11. A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprising:

an end effector;

a shaft connected to the end effector, the shaft comprising a drive train for powering the end effector; and

a handle connected to the shaft, the handle comprising;

an electric, DC motor connected to the drive train for powering the drive train;

a DC power source comprising one or more batteries; and

a power regulator having an input connected to the DC power source and an output connected to an input of the motor, wherein the power regulator comprises;

a power converter; and

a control circuit for controlling the power converter, wherein the control circuit is for controlling a voltage set point for the power converter to control the current drawn from the DC power source by the motor.

12. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 11, wherein:

the DC power source provides power to the DC motor in pulses; and

the control circuit is for controlling the voltage set point for the power converter to control the current drawn from the DC power source so that the DC power source is refreshed prior to a next pulse from the DC power source.

13. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 11, wherein the power converter comprises a DC-DC power converter.

14. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 13, wherein the DC-DC power converter comprises a switch-mode power converter.

15. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 14, wherein the DC-DC power converter comprises a buck-boost converter.

16. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 11, further comprising a torque-limiting device connected to an output pole of the motor.

17. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 11, further comprising a power source selection switch connected to the power source.

18. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 11, wherein the end effector comprises:

an upper jaw;

a lower jaw opposing the upper jaw; and

a cutting instrument disposed in a longitudinal channel defined by the lower jaw.

19. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 18, wherein the lower jaw comprises a staple cartridge.

20. The surgical cutting and fastening instrument of claim 19, wherein the upper jaw comprises at least one RF electrode.