Loading unit velocity and position feedback

• US 9,421,014 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2013
• Issued: 08/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Ingmanson, Michael D., Zemlok, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lopez, Michelle
• Application Number:
  US13/955,486
• Publication Number:
  US 20140110455A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,119 Days
• Field of Search: 227/175.1, 227/176.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 Indication means
• 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 90/90 Identification means for patients or instruments, e.g. tags

Abstract

A loading unit for a surgical stapling device has a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly, the cartridge assembly including a channel and a staple cartridge having a plurality of surgical staples therein. An axial drive assembly has a clamping member, the clamping member having an upper flange for engaging the anvil assembly, and a lower flange for engaging the channel. The axial drive assembly is movable through the staple cartridge to drive the staples out of the staple cartridge and against the anvil assembly. Mechanical features are defined in the channel for indicating an end of stroke for the axial drive assembly, the mechanical features having a first pattern and a second pattern.

Claims

1. A loading unit for a surgical stapling device, comprising:

a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly, the cartridge assembly including a channel and a staple cartridge having a plurality of surgical staples therein;

an axial drive assembly with a clamping member, the clamping member having an upper flange for engaging the anvil assembly, and a lower flange for engaging the channel;

mechanical features defined in the channel for indicating an end of stroke for the axial drive assembly, the mechanical features having a first pattern and a second pattern;

a motor coupled to the axial drive assembly, the motor configured to move the axial drive assembly through the staple cartridge to drive the staples out of the staple cartridge and against the anvil assembly; and

a controller coupled to the motor and configured to determine the end of stroke based on a change in torque at the motor in response to the clamping member engaging the mechanical features.

2. The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the staple cartridge has a plurality of staple retaining recesses and the surgical staples are disposed in the staple retaining recesses.

3. The loading unit according to claim 2, wherein the staple retaining recesses are arranged in linear rows.

4. The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the axial drive assembly includes a drive beam.

5. The loading unit according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for determining a gap between the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly.

6. A surgical stapling device, comprising an elongate portion and a loading unit according to claim 1.

7. The surgical stapling device according to claim 6, further comprising a handle portion.

8. The surgical stapling device according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to determine the end of stroke.

9. The surgical stapling device according to claim 8, wherein the first pattern of mechanical features has mechanical features of a different size than a size of the mechanical features of the second pattern.

10. The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the staple cartridge defines a longitudinal axis and staple retaining recesses arranged in linear rows along the longitudinal axis.

11. The loading unit according to claim 1, wherein the channel defines a slot.

12. The loading unit according to claim 11, wherein a distal end of the slot forms the end of stroke.

13. The loading unit according to claim 12, wherein the second pattern of mechanical features is closer to the distal end of the slot than the first pattern of mechanical features.