Powered surgical instrument with parameter-based firing rate

• US 10,524,787 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2017
• Issued: 01/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Yates, David C., Harris, Jason L., Morgan, Jerome R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Templeton, Christopher L
• Application Number:
  US15/459,546
• Publication Number:
  US 20170196562A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 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 17/072 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 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• 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 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0019 Means for setting or varying the pulse width
• 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 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00411 actuated by application of energy from an energy source outside the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• 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 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 : abutting on parts of the device itself
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/066 : for measuring torque
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0818 : Redundant systems, e.g. using two independent measuring systems and comparing the signals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/0475 : Special features of memory means, e.g. removable memory cards
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, which comprises a sensor configured to measure a parameter associated with a tissue grasped between the first jaw member and the second jaw member of the end effector. The surgical instrument further comprises a firing member to effect motion at the end effector, which is driven by a motor. Instructions stored in the memory of the surgical instrument cause the motor to driven the firing member at a firing rate that is a function of a measurement of the parameter. The parameter can, for example, include a thickness of the tissue grasped by the end effector.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw member;

a second jaw member pivotable relative to the first jaw member; and

a sensor configured to measure a parameter associated with a tissue grasped between the first jaw member and the second jaw member;

a firing member axially movable between a first position and a second position to effect a motion at the end effector;

a motor configured to drive the firing member between the first position and the second position at a firing rate;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

measure the parameter via the sensor in a time period during which the tissue is grasped between the first jaw member and the second jaw member;

determine whether the measured parameter exceeds a threshold;

adjust the firing rate from a first value to a second value corresponding to the measured parameter; and

cause the motor to drive the firing member at the second value of the firing rate in the time period.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a display in communication with the processor, the display configured to display the firing rate.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the displayed firing rate is updatable as a function of the parameter.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the parameter is associated with a thickness of the grasped tissue.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the parameter is associated with a pressure applied to the grasped tissue by the first and second jaw members.

6. A surgical instrument comprising:

an end effector, comprising;

a first jaw member;

a second jaw member pivotable relative to the first jaw member to transition the end effector from an open configuration to a closed configuration over a closing time period; and

a sensor configured to measure a parameter associated with a tissue grasped between the first jaw member and the second jaw member;

a firing member axially movable between a first position and a second position over the closing time period to actuate the end effector;

a motor configured to drive the firing member between the first position and the second position at a firing rate;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

measure the parameter via the sensor in the closing time period;

determine whether a first measurement of the parameter exceeds a first threshold;

adjust the firing rate from a first value to a second value corresponding to the first measurement of the parameter;

cause the motor to drive the firing member at the second value of the firing rate in the closing time period;

measure the parameter in a firing time period during which tissue is treated;

determine whether a second measurement of the parameter exceeds a second threshold;

adjust the firing rate from a third value to a fourth value corresponding to the second measurement; and

cause the motor to drive the firing member at the fourth value of the firing rate in the firing time period.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the end effector is configured to receive a staple cartridge, and wherein the firing member is configured to cause staples to be deployed from the staple cartridge.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the firing member further comprises a knife, and wherein the knife is movable relative to the end effector.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 6, further comprising a display in communication with the processor, wherein the display is configured to display the firing rate.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the displayed firing rate is updatable as a function of the parameter.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the parameter is associated with a pressure applied to the grasped tissue by the first and second jaw members.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the parameter is associated with a thickness of the grasped tissue.