Method and system for operating a surgical instrument

• US 9,888,919 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Leimbach, Richard L., Overmyer, Mark D., Swensgard, Brett E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodjom, Katherine
• Application Number:
  US13/803,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20140277017A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,797 Days
• Field of Search: 606205-208, 606130, 606139
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• 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 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• 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 2017/00389 Button or wheel for performing multiple functions, e.g. rotation of shaft and end effector
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00393 with means for switching between functions
• 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 2017/00464 for use with different instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00716 simulating physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 : characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 : characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 : transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2913 : cams or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2923 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 : the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00172 : Connectors and adapters therefor
• 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 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2059 : Mechanical position encoders
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 : for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• 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 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• 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: G01D 5/145 : influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06

Abstract

A method and system for operating a surgical instrument. A surgical instrument can operate in an initial operating state and a secondary operating state. The secondary operating state can be one of a warned operating state or a modified operating state. After receiving feedback from the surgical instrument, an operator of the surgical instrument can decide whether to proceed to the warned operating state or the modified operating state.

Claims

1. An untethered hand-held surgical instrument configured to operate in a plurality of operating states during a firing stroke, the plurality of operating states comprising an advancing firing member state, a paused firing member state and a retracting firing member state, the untethered hand-held surgical instrument comprising:

a handle;

a multi-function electric motor positioned within the handle, wherein said motor is configured to;

drive a firing member during the firing stroke; and

generate a tactile feedback when the operating state of the hand-held surgical instrument is the paused firing member state;

an amplifier positioned within the handle, wherein the amplifier is coupled to the motor and is configured to amplify the tactile feedback generated by the multi-function electric motor;

a controller positioned within the handle, wherein the controller is for controlling said motor;

a sensor configured to detect a force on the firing member, wherein the sensor and the controller are in signal communication, and wherein the controller is configured to change the operating state of the hand-held surgical instrument from the advancing firing member state to the paused firing member state by pausing an advancement of the firing member when the force on the firing member detected by the sensor exceeds a threshold force; and

a plurality of input keys on the handle, wherein the input keys and the controller are in signal communication, wherein the controller is further configured to;

while the force on the firing member exceeds the threshold force, change the operating state of the hand-held surgical instrument from the paused firing member state back to the advancing firing member state when a first input key is activated; and

while the force on the firing member exceeds the threshold force, change the operating state of the hand-held surgical instrument from the paused firing member state to the retracting firing member state when a second input key is activated.

2. The untethered hand-held surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the amplified tactile feedback comprises a potential overload warning to an operator of the surgical instrument.

3. The untethered hand-held surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the threshold force comprises a recommended maximum force for the firing member.

6. The untethered hand-held surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the sensor is positioned in an end effector of the surgical instrument.

4. A hand-held surgical instrument configured to operate in a plurality of operating states, the plurality of operating states comprising a firing state and a warned firing state, the hand-held surgical instrument comprising:

a firing member;

a multi-function electric motor positioned in a handle of the hand-held surgical instrument, wherein the multi-function electric motor is configured to;

drive said firing member; and

generate a tactile feedback when a force on the firing member exceeds a threshold force;

an amplifier positioned within the handle, wherein the amplifier is coupled to the motor and is configured to amplify the tactile feedback generated by the multi-function electric motor;

a controller positioned in the handle, wherein the controller is for controlling said motor, wherein said controller is configured to operate said hand-held surgical instrument in the firing state for driving said firing member when the force on the firing member is less than the threshold force and in the warned firing state for driving said firing member when the force on the firing member is greater than the threshold force; and

means for operating said hand-held surgical instrument in said warned firing state, wherein said means for operating are on the handle of the hand-held surgical instrument.

5. The hand-held surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein the motor, the controller, and the means for operating are part of the hand-held surgical instrument.