Active braking electrical surgical instrument and method for braking such an instrument

• US 9,901,340 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2013
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Smith, Kevin W., Bales, Jr., Thomas O., Deville, Derek Dee, Rivera, Carlos, Palmer, Matthew A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Desai, Hemant M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Neacsu, Valentin
• Application Number:
  US13/847,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20130221061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,805 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 227217, 173 1- 11, 173176-183, 606 1, 606128, 606139, 128898, 318362
• 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 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• 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 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• 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 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/032 pressure limiting, e.g. hydrostatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/03 Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety

Abstract

An electrically powered surgical instrument includes a surgical end effector having a surgical procedure effecting actuation assembly. A handle is coupled with the end effector. An electric motor is disposed within a shell of the handle and has power terminals and a drive train actuating the assembly when the motor is supplied with power. A break-before-make power supply switch at the handle selectively controls supply of power to the motor. A post-termination braking circuit electrically short-circuits the power terminals when the switch does not supply power to the motor. A method for post-termination braking of an electrical motor utilizes the permanent magnetic field of the motor to counteract an inertia-induced over-stroke characteristic of the motor, drive train, and/or actuation assembly after powered operation by short-circuiting the still-spinning motor to create an electrically generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field upon ceasing supply of power to the motor.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having at least one actuation assembly to effect a surgical procedure when actuated;

a handle mechanically coupled with the end effector and having a shell;

an electric motor disposed within the shell and having;

motor terminals; and

a drive train operatively coupled to the at least one actuation assembly to actuate the at least one actuation assembly when the motor is supplied with power;

a power supply having power terminals; and

a selective switching connection disposed within the shell and having a break-before-make switch with three positions including a forward position, a reverse position, and an off position, the selective switching connection;

in the forward position, electrically connecting the power terminals to the motor terminals to power the motor in a forward direction;

in the reverse position, electrically connecting the power terminals to the motor terminals to power the motor in a reverse direction; and

in the off position, electrically separating at least one of the power terminals from the motor terminals.

2. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein:

the power supply is a removable battery pack and has two power terminals; and

the switch of the selective switching connection is a double-pole/double-throw, break-before-make switch with three positions including the forward position, the reverse position, and the off position, and;

in the forward position, electrically connects the two power terminals to the two motor terminals to power the motor in a forward direction;

in the reverse position, electrically connects the two power terminals to the two motor terminals to power the motor in a reverse direction; and

in the off position, electrically separates at least one of the two power terminals from the two motor terminals.

3. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the end effector, handle, motor, and selective switching connection are all operable with only a single hand.

4. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein the end effector is a surgical stapling endocutter.

5. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein:

the motor has a permanent magnetic field; and

at least one of the motor, the drive train, and the actuation assembly has an inertia-induced over-stroke characteristic after powered operation.

6. The instrument according to claim 5, further comprising a post-termination braking circuit having the selective switching connection as a component thereof, the post-termination braking circuit electrically short-circuiting the motor terminals with the off position of the switch.

7. The instrument according to claim 1, wherein:

the drive train has a rotational inertia when operating; and

the motor has;

a rotational inertia when spinning; and

a permanent magnetic field.

8. The instrument according to claim 7, further comprising a post-termination braking circuit having the selective switching connection as a component thereof, the post-termination braking circuit operable to create an electrically-generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field with the rotational inertia of at least one of the drive train and the motor when short-circuiting the motor terminals with the off position of the switch.

9. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having at least one actuation assembly to effect a surgical procedure when actuated;

a handle mechanically coupled with the end effector and having a shell;

an electric motor disposed within the shell and having;

motor terminals; and

a drive train operatively coupled to the at least one actuation assembly to actuate the at least one actuation assembly when the motor is supplied with power;

a power supply having power terminals; and

a post-termination braking circuit;

having a selective switching connection disposed within the shell and having a break-before-make switch with three positions including a forward position, a reverse position, and an off position, the selective switching connection;

in the forward position, electrically connecting the power terminals to the motor terminals to power the motor in a forward direction;

in the reverse position, electrically connecting the power terminals to the motor terminals to power the motor in a reverse direction; and

in the off position, electrically separating at least one of the power terminals from the motor terminals; and

electrically short-circuiting the motor terminals with the off position of the switch.

10. The instrument according to claim 9, wherein:

the power supply is a removable battery pack and has two power terminals; and

the switch of the selective switching connection is a double-pole/double-throw, break-before-make switch with three positions including the forward position, the reverse position, and the off position, and;

in the forward position, electrically connects the two power terminals to the two motor terminals to power the motor in a forward direction;

in the reverse position, electrically connects the two power terminals to the two motor terminals to power the motor in a reverse direction; and

in the off position, electrically separates at least one of the two power terminals from the two motor terminals.

11. The instrument according to claim 9, wherein:

the motor has a permanent magnetic field; and

at least one of the motor, the drive train, and the actuation assembly has an inertia-induced over-stroke characteristic after powered operation.

12. The instrument according to claim 11, wherein the inertia-induced over-stroke of at least one of the motor, the drive train, and the actuation assembly is counteracted with the short-circuit.

13. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a surgical end effector having at least one actuation assembly to effect a surgical procedure when actuated;

a handle mechanically coupled with the end effector and having a shell;

an electric motor disposed within the shell and having;

a rotational inertia when spinning;

a permanent magnetic field;

motor terminals; and

a drive train operatively coupled to the at least one actuation assembly to actuate the at least one actuation assembly when the motor is supplied with power, the drive train having a rotational inertia when operating;

a power supply having power terminals; and

a post-termination braking circuit;

having a selective switching connection disposed within the shell and having a break-before-make switch with three positions including a forward position, a reverse position, and an off position, the selective switching connection;

in the forward position, electrically connecting the power terminals to the motor terminals to power the motor in a forward direction;

in the reverse position, electrically connecting the power terminals to the motor terminals to power the motor in a reverse direction; and

in the off position, electrically separating at least one of the power terminals from the motor terminals;

electrically short-circuiting the motor terminals with the off position of the switch; and

being operable to create an electrically-generated magnetic field in opposition to the permanent magnetic field with the rotational inertia of at least one of the drive train and the motor when short-circuiting the motor terminals with the off position of the switch.

14. The instrument according to claim 13, wherein:

the power supply is a removable battery pack and has two power terminals; and

the switch of the selective switching connection is a double-pole/double-throw, break-before-make switch with three positions including the forward position, the reverse position, and the off position, and;

in the forward position, electrically connects the two power terminals to the two motor terminals to power the motor in a forward direction;

in the reverse position, electrically connects the two power terminals to the two motor terminals to power the motor in a reverse direction; and

in the off position, electrically separates at least one of the two power terminals from the two motor terminals.