Surgical instrument with sensor and powered control

• US 9,782,214 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2011
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Houser, Kevin L., Stulen, Foster B., Dannaher, William D., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Strobl, Geoffrey S., Voegele, Aaron C., Lessek, Timothy P., Monson, Gavin M., Worrell, Barry C., Jain, Hitesh
• Primary Examiner(s): DELLA, JAYMI E
• Application Number:
  US13/277,328
• Publication Number:
  US 20120116391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,182 Days
• Field of Search: 606 5- 52, 606205-211
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• 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 2017/320093 additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 with stapling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00297 Means for providing haptic feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00303 active, e.g. with a motor creating vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00773 Sensed parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00994 combining two or more different kinds of non-mechanical energy or combining one or more non-mechanical energies with ultrasound
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/742 Joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/74 : Manipulators with manual electric input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a temperature sensor and a control unit that is operable to deactivate an end effector of the surgical instrument. In some versions the temperature sensor detects the temperature of a transducer, while in others the temperature sensor detects the temperature of the end effector. The surgical instrument may also include a trigger and a trigger position sensor. A force sensor or a position sensor may be included to determine the force and/or position of the transmission assembly. The end effector may also include a force sensor or a micro coil. A surgical instrument having a sensor may be included in a surgical system that includes a control unit and a remote controller. In some instances the remote controller may have one or more force-feedback components. In addition, a device interface and a surgeon interface may be included to remotely adjust the settings of the control unit.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a body portion comprising at least one indicator;

(b) a transmission portion extending distally from the body portion;

(c) an end effector coupled to a distal end of the transmission portion;

(d) a control unit, wherein the at least one indicator is electrically coupled to the control unit;

(e) a toggle switch communicatively coupled to the control unit; and

(f) a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled to the control unit;

wherein at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is operable to output a signal indicating a temperature to the control unit, wherein the temperature is associated with the surgical instrument, wherein the control unit is operable to selectively deactivate at least a portion of the end effector in response to the signal indicating the temperature from the at least one sensor,

wherein the control unit is operable to generate a control unit output signal to activate the at least one indicator in response to the signal indicating the temperature from the at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors, wherein the at least one indicator is operable to indicate a range of values in response to the control unit output signal, wherein the toggle switch is operable to manipulate the control unit output signal to the at least one indicator.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a transducer, wherein the at least one sensor is mounted within the body portion, and wherein the at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is operable to output a signal indicating a temperature of the transducer.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein the control unit is operable to selectively deactivate the transducer.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors is coupled to the end effector.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a trigger pivotably mounted to the body portion and a trigger position sensor coupled to the trigger, wherein the trigger position sensor is communicatively coupled to the control unit, and wherein the trigger position sensor is operable to output a signal indicating a rotational position of the trigger relative to the body portion.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors further comprises a force sensor coupled to the transmission assembly, wherein the force sensor is communicatively coupled to the control unit, and wherein the force sensor is operable to output a signal indicating a force applied to the transmission assembly.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6 wherein the control unit is operable to activate the at least one indicator in response to the signal output from the force sensor.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the transmission portion further comprises an actuation member, wherein the plurality of sensors further comprises a position sensor coupled to the actuation member, wherein the position sensor is communicatively coupled to the control unit, and wherein the position sensor is operable to output a signal indicating a position of the actuation member relative to the body portion.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8 wherein the control unit is operable to activate the at least one indicator in response to the signal output from the position sensor.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the end effector comprises:

i. an upper jaw pivotably coupled to a distal end of the transmission assembly,

ii. a clamp pad, and

iii. a force sensor,

wherein the force sensor is communicatively coupled to the control unit, and wherein the force sensor is operable to output a signal indicating a force applied to the upper jaw.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10 wherein the force sensor is coupled to the clamp pad.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 10 wherein the force sensor is coupled to the upper jaw.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 10 wherein the force sensor comprises a force sensitive resistor.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the end effector comprises a micro coil.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14 wherein the micro coil is coupled to the control unit, wherein the control unit is operable to apply a voltage to the micro coil, and wherein the control unit is further operable to monitor the voltage applied to the micro coil.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising a trigger pivotably mounted to the body portion, wherein the transmission portion further comprises a shaft, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a force measuring sensor coupled to the trigger and the shaft, wherein the force measuring sensor is operable to transmit a signal to the control unit indicating a force applied from the trigger to the shaft.

16. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a body portion comprising;

(i) at least one indicator, and

(ii) a control unit communicatively coupled with the at least one indicator;

(b) a transmission portion extending distally from the body portion;

(c) an end effector coupled to a distal end of the transmission portion;

(d) a toggle switch communicatively coupled to the control unit; and

(e) a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled to the control unit;

wherein the control unit is operable to selectively deactivate at least a portion of the end effector in response to a signal from a sensor of the plurality of sensors,

wherein the at least one indicator is electrically coupled to the control unit,

wherein the at least one indicator is operable receive a signal from the control unit to indicate a corresponding magnitude relative to the signal supplied by the sensor of the plurality of sensors,

wherein the toggle switch is operable to manipulate the signal received by the at least one indicator.

17. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a body portion comprising at least one indicator;

(b) a transmission portion extending distally from the body portion;

(c) an end effector coupled to a distal end of the transmission portion;

(d) a control unit;

(e) a toggle switch communicatively coupled to the control unit; and

(f) a plurality of sensors communicatively coupled to the control unit;

wherein the control unit is operable to selectively deactivate at least a portion of the end effector in response to a signal from at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors,

wherein the at least one indicator is electrically coupled to the control unit,

wherein the control unit is operable to activate the at least one indicator with a control unit output signal formed from the control unit receiving the signal from the at least one sensor of the plurality of sensors,

wherein the at least one indicator is operable to indicate a range of values in response to the control unit output signal,

wherein the toggle switch is operable to manipulate the control unit output signal.