End effector identification by mechanical features

• US 8,733,614 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2010
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ross, Adam, Zemlok, Michael, Marczyk, Stanislaw
• Primary Examiner(s): Long, Robert
• Application Number:
  US12/773,176
• Publication Number:
  US 20100211053A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,484 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 606/75, 606/300, 606/138, 606/219
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/00 Details of sensors; Constructional details of sensor housings or probes; Accessories for sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a tool assembly, the loading adapted to be coupled to the body portion. The instrument also includes a sensor tube movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the loading unit and a load switch coupled to a microcontroller. The load switch is adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the loading unit being inserted into the body portion.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis;

a loading unit, the loading unit including a tool assembly, the loading unit adapted to be coupled to the body portion;

a sensor tube having a ferromagnetic core portion and movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the loading unit;

a linear variable differential transducer disposed about the ferromagnetic core portion and adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the loading unit being inserted into the body portion and to generate a sensor signal reflective of the sensor tube being engaged therewith, the linear variable differential transducer comprising;

a primary coil disposed about the sensor tube;

a first secondary coil disposed about the sensor tube and positioned distally of the primary coil; and

a second secondary coil disposed about the sensor tube and positioned proximally of the primary coil; and

a microcontroller configured to determine a type of the loading unit engaged with the body portion based on the sensor signal.

2. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein upon actuation, the linear variable differential transducer signals the microcontroller to activate the surgical instrument.

3. A surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the sensor tube may only be engaged by a loading unit including an articulating tool assembly.

4. A surgical instrument according to claim 3, further comprising:

an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly.

5. A surgical instrument according to claim 4, wherein upon engagement by the loading unit including the articulating tool assembly, the sensor tube actuates the linear variable differential transducer, which enables the articulation mechanism.

6. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis, the body portion having a distal end adapted to releasably engage both articulating and non-articulating loading units;

an articulation mechanism configured to articulate an articulating tool assembly coupled to the articulating loading unit;

a sensor tube having a ferromagnetic core portion and movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the articulating loading unit;

a linear variable differential transducer disposed about the ferromagnetic core portion and adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the articulating loading unit, wherein upon actuation, the linear variable differential transducer generates a sensor signal reflective of the sensor tube being engaged therewith, the linear variable differential transducer comprising;

a primary coil disposed about the sensor tube;

a first secondary coil disposed about the sensor tube and positioned distally of the primary coil; and

a second secondary coil disposed about the sensor tube and positioned proximally of the primary coil; and

a microcontroller configured to activate the articulation mechanism based on the sensor signal.

7. A surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein the sensor tube is movable to a first position in response to engagement of the non-articulating loading unit with the body portion and to a second position in response to engagement of the articulating loading unit with the body portion.

8. A surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein movement of the sensor tube to the second position engages the linear variable differential transducer.

9. A surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein movement of the sensor tube to the first position signals the microcontroller to activate the surgical instrument without the activation of the articulation mechanism.

10. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle portion;

a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis, the body portion having a distal end adapted to releasably engage a plurality of loading unit types;

a sensor tube having a ferromagnetic core portion and movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage each of the plurality of loading unit types and to move a predetermined distance in response thereto;

a linear variable differential transducer adapted to determine a type of a loading unit engaged with the body portion based on the predetermined distance the sensor tube has been displaced and to generate a sensor signal reflective thereof, the linear variable differential transducer comprising;

a primary coil disposed about the sensor tube;

a first secondary coil disposed about the sensor tube and positioned distally of the primary coil; and

a second secondary coil disposed about the sensor tube and positioned proximally of the primary coil; and

a microcontroller configured to determine the type of a loading unit engaged with the body portion based on the sensor signal.

11. A surgical instrument according to claim 10, further comprising:

an articulation mechanism configured to articulate an articulating tool assembly coupled to an articulating loading unit, the articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a proximal end, the articulating tool assembly being movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis.

12. A surgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein the microcontroller is configured to adjust at least one operating parameter of the instrument based on the type of loading unit engaged with the body portion.

13. A surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from the group consisting of firing stroke length, firing speed and degree of articulation.

14. A surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the microcontroller is further configured to activate the articulation mechanism when the loading unit is of the articulating type.