Accessing data stored in a memory of a surgical instrument

• US 8,820,603 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Giordano, James R., Swayze, Jeffrey S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nash, Brian D
• Application Number:
  US13/037,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20110174862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,281 Days
• Field of Search: 606/1, 606/167, 606/117, 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/177.1, 227/180.1, 227/179.1
• US Class Current: 227/175.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0644 penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position
• 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 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00424 ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2946 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0811 : for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/90 : Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags

Abstract

A process and system are disclosed for downloading sensor data, stored in a memory device of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, to an external or remote computer device. The process may involve storing data from one or more sensors of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument in a memory device of a control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument during a surgical procedure involving the surgical cutting and fastening instrument. Next, after the surgical procedure, a data link between the control unit and the remote computer device is established. Then, the sensor data can be downloaded from the control unit to the remote computer device.

Claims

1. A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprising:

a. an end effector comprising an anvil with staple forming feature thereon, a housing frame generally opposed to the anvil to hold a cartridge, said end effector comprising a knife and a channel in said frame to receive said knife, a replaceable cartridge holding staples that can be urged out the cartridge with a distal actuation of a deploying wedge, and at least one sensor;

b. an elongated rigid shaft, said shaft having a motor located substantially therein that is operably coupled to an actuation mechanism, said shaft having at least one articulation joint for positioning the cartridge at an angle not parallel to a longitudinal axis of said shaft;

c. an electrically coupled remote controlled actuation consol;

d. linear drive motion converter to convert rotary motion from said motor to linear motion.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the electrically coupled remote controlled actuation consol comprises an electrically wired connection to the motor.