Motorized surgical instrument

• US 10,456,133 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2015
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Yates, David C., Huitema, Thomas W., Shelton, IV, Frederick E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Szpira, Julie A
• Application Number:
  US14/658,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20150182220A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,688 Days
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• 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 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• 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 2017/07271 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 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 2017/320052 Guides for cutting instruments by marking A61B2090/395
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0024 Parallel/serial switching of connection of batteries to charge or load circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0068 Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply H02J7/0013 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/34 Parallel operation in networks using both storage and other dc sources, e.g. providing buffering H02J7/14 takes precedence

Abstract

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector comprising a firing element;

a motor mechanically coupled to the firing element;

a power source; and

a control system electrically coupled to the motor and the power source, wherein the control system comprises;

a sensing device configured to sense a position of the firing element;

a control circuit electrically coupled to the sensing device;

a switching device controlled by the control circuit; and

a resistive element electrically connected in parallel with the switching device,

and wherein the control system is configured to modulate power applied to the motor based on the following;

the sensed position of the firing element; and

a direction of travel of the firing element.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises an articulable end effector.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the end effector further comprises a staple cartridge holding a plurality of staples.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a battery.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises one of the following:

a rechargeable battery; and

a replaceable battery.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the control system comprises a pulse width modulation circuit.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the control system comprises at least one of the following:

a charge accumulator device; and

a voltage reduction device.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to modulate pulses of voltage applied to the motor.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to selectively increase the power applied to the motor.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the control system is further configured to selectively reduce the power applied to the motor.