Surgical instrument system for evaluating tissue impedance

• US 10,238,385 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2015
• Issued: 03/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Yates, David C., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Giordano, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Scott A.
• Application Number:
  US14/668,406
• Publication Number:
  US 20150196347A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 227 19, 2271752, 2271761, 2271781, 2271801, 606139, 606153, 606219
• 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 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3205 Excision instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• 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 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/124 switching the output to different electrodes, e.g. sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A surgical instrument system is disclosed. The surgical instrument system comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a first jaw, and a second jaw. The first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw to capture tissue. The surgical instrument system further comprises a sensor system configured to sense the impedance of the tissue at a plurality of discrete locations, a staple cartridge comprising staple cavities, staples removably stored in the staple cavities, an anvil, a firing system configured to move the staples toward the anvil, an electric motor configured to move the firing system toward the distal end during a firing stroke, and a control system. The control system is configured to evaluate the impedance of the tissue at the discrete locations and control the power applied to the electric motor during the firing stroke as the firing system moves relative to the discrete locations.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw to capture tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw;

a sensor system configured to sense the impedance of the tissue at a plurality of discrete locations;

a staple cartridge comprising staple cavities;

staples removably stored in said staple cavities;

an anvil configured to deform said staples;

a firing system configured to move said staples toward said anvil;

an electric motor configured to move said firing system toward said distal end during a firing stroke; and

a control system configured to;

evaluate the impedance of the tissue at said discrete locations; and

control the speed of said electric motor during said firing stroke as said firing system moves relative to said discrete locations.

2. The surgical instrument system of claim 1, wherein said discrete locations are arranged along a longitudinal path between said proximal end and said distal end.

3. The surgical instrument system of claim 2, wherein said staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal slot, wherein said firing system comprises a cutting member configured to travel within said longitudinal slot, and wherein said longitudinal path is adjacent said longitudinal slot.

4. The surgical instrument system of claim 1, wherein said firing system comprises a first cam member configured to engage said first jaw and a second cam member configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said first cam member and said second cam member are configured to position said first jaw relative to said second jaw.

5. The surgical instrument system of claim 4, wherein said first jaw comprises said anvil and said second jaw comprises said staple cartridge.

6. The surgical instrument system of claim 5, wherein said staple cartridge is removable from said second jaw.

7. The surgical instrument system of claim 1, further comprising a handle.

8. The surgical instrument system of claim 1, further comprising a battery configured to supply power to said electric motor.

9. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw to capture tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw;

a sensor system configured to sense the impedance of the tissue at discrete locations along a longitudinal path between said proximal end and said distal end;

a staple cartridge comprising staple cavities, wherein said staple cavities are arranged along the longitudinal path;

staples removably stored in said staple cavities;

an anvil configured to deform said staples;

a firing system configured to move said staples toward said anvil;

an electric motor configured to move said firing system toward said distal end during a firing stroke; and

a control circuit configured to;

evaluate the impedance of the tissue; and

control the speed of said electric motor during said firing stroke.

10. The surgical instrument system of claim 9, wherein said staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal slot, wherein said firing system comprises a cutting member configured to travel within said longitudinal slot, and wherein said longitudinal path is adjacent said longitudinal slot.

11. The surgical instrument system of claim 9, wherein said firing system comprises a first cam member configured to engage said first jaw and a second cam member configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said first cam member and said second cam member are configured to position said first jaw relative to said second jaw.

12. The surgical instrument system of claim 11, wherein said first jaw comprises said anvil and said second jaw comprises said staple cartridge.

13. The surgical instrument system of claim 12, wherein said staple cartridge is removable from said second jaw.

14. A surgical instrument system, comprising:

a proximal end;

a distal end;

a first jaw;

a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw to capture tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw;

a sensor system configured to sense the impedance of the tissue at a plurality of discrete locations;

a staple cartridge comprising staple cavities;

staples removably stored in said staple cavities;

an anvil configured to deform said staples;

a firing system configured to move said staples toward said anvil;

an electric motor configured to move said firing system toward said distal end during a firing stroke; and

a control system configured to;

evaluate the impedance of the tissue at said discrete locations; and

control the power applied to said electric motor during said firing stroke as said firing system moves relative to said discrete locations.

15. The surgical instrument system of claim 14, further comprising a handle.

16. The surgical instrument system of claim 14, further comprising a battery configured to supply power to said electric motor.

17. The surgical instrument system of claim 14, wherein said discrete locations are arranged along a longitudinal path between said proximal end and said distal end.

18. The surgical instrument system of claim 17, wherein said staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal slot, wherein said firing system comprises a cutting member configured to travel within said longitudinal slot, and wherein said longitudinal path is adjacent said longitudinal slot.

19. The surgical instrument system of claim 14, wherein said firing system comprises a first cam member configured to engage said first jaw and a second cam member configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said first cam member and said second cam member are configured to position said first jaw relative to said second jaw.

20. The surgical instrument system of claim 19, wherein said first jaw comprises said anvil and said second jaw comprises said staple cartridge.

21. The surgical instrument system of claim 20, wherein said staple cartridge is removable from said second jaw.