System and method for non-contact electronic articulation sensing
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a handle portion;
a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis;
an articulating tool assembly configured to eject at least one fastener and defining a second longitudinal axis, the articulating tool assembly disposed at a distal end of the body portion and 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; and
an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly, the articulation mechanism including;
an articulation knob mechanically engaged to the articulation tool assembly, wherein rotational motion of the articulation knob is translated into articulation movement of the articulation tool assembly; and
an articulation sensor assembly having an optical encoder sensor including a rotary encoder circumferentially disposed about the articulation knob, the optical encoder sensor further including a photo emitter and a photo receiver disposed on opposite sides of the rotary encoder, the optical encoder sensor configured to detect movement of the articulation knob and to transmit a sensor signal indicative of the movement of the articulation knob to a microcontroller which is configured to determine an articulation angle of the articulation tool assembly.
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Accused Products
Abstract
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 an articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a proximal end. The articulating tool assembly is disposed at a distal end of the body portion and is 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. The instrument also includes an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly, the articulation mechanism including an articulation sensor assembly configured to transmit a sensor signal to a microcontroller which is configured to determine an articulation angle of the articulation assembly.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
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a handle portion; a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis; an articulating tool assembly configured to eject at least one fastener and defining a second longitudinal axis, the articulating tool assembly disposed at a distal end of the body portion and 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; and an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly, the articulation mechanism including; an articulation knob mechanically engaged to the articulation tool assembly, wherein rotational motion of the articulation knob is translated into articulation movement of the articulation tool assembly; and an articulation sensor assembly having an optical encoder sensor including a rotary encoder circumferentially disposed about the articulation knob, the optical encoder sensor further including a photo emitter and a photo receiver disposed on opposite sides of the rotary encoder, the optical encoder sensor configured to detect movement of the articulation knob and to transmit a sensor signal indicative of the movement of the articulation knob to a microcontroller which is configured to determine an articulation angle of the articulation tool assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification