Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and remote sensor

• US 11,000,277 B2
• Filed: 09/09/2015
• Issued: 05/11/2021
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Giordano, James R., Swayze, Jeffrey S., Shelton, IV, Frederick E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ahmed, Mobeen
• Application Number:
  US14/848,572
• Publication Number:
  US 20160000431A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,071 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1222 Packages or dispensers therefor clip magazines incorporated in a clip-applying instrument A61B17/128; for surgical articles A61B50/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• 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 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00362 Packages or dispensers for MIS instruments A61B2017/0479 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• 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 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 : additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 : with stapling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2053 : Tracking an applied voltage gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2059 : Mechanical position encoders
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 : Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/302 : specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• 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 2562/028 : Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 : Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/04 : Packaging single articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/16 : by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/18 : by liquids or gases B65B55/14 takes precedence

Abstract

A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.

Claims

1. A cordless surgical instrument for cutting and stapling tissue, comprising:

a handle;

a battery in the handle; and

a firing system, comprising;

a shaft extending from the handle;

a motor in the handle, the motor comprising an output connected to the shaft, wherein the battery powers the motor;

an end effector connected to the shaft, wherein the end effector comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a working portion, wherein the proximal end is closer to the handle than the distal end, and wherein upon actuation of the firing system the working portion traverses the end effector from the proximal end toward the distal end;

a control circuit in the handle for controlling current through the motor from the battery; and

a digital rotary encoder in the handle that outputs digital signals to the control circuit related to rotation of the shaft,

wherein the control circuit comprises a relay connected to the motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to;

determine a position of the working portion in the end effector based on the digital signals from the digital rotary encoder;

compare a level of the motor current to a threshold motor current level; and

change the current supplied to the motor by changing a state of the relay when both the working portion is within a specified position range in the end effector and the motor current level exceeds a threshold motor current level for the specified position range.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to reduce to zero the current supplied to the motor when the position of the working portion is within the specified position range of the end effector and the motor current exceeds the threshold current level.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the specified position range of the end effector is a specified position range at the proximal end of the end effector.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises a pulse width modulation controller configured to control the speed in which the output shaft of the motor rotates.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein the handle comprises a user-control that, when activated by a user of the surgical instrument, actuates the firing system.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a staple cartridge.

7. A cordless surgical instrument for cutting and stapling tissue, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:

a handle;

a battery in the handle; and

a firing system, comprising;

a shaft attached to the handle;

a motor comprising an output connected to the shaft, wherein the battery powers the motor;

an end effector connected to the shaft, wherein the end effector comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a working portion, wherein the proximal end is closer to the handle than the distal end, and wherein upon actuation of the firing system the working portion traverses the end effector from the proximal end toward the distal end;

a digital rotary encoder in the handle, wherein the digital rotary encoder is configured to output signals indicative of rotation of the shaft; and

motor control means, in the handle and connected to the motor, the battery and the end effector, wherein the motor control means comprises a relay connected to the motor, and wherein the motor control means is for;

modulating a width of power pulses supplied to the motor from the battery;

determining a position of the working portion in the end effector based on the digital signals from the digital rotary encoder;

comparing a level of the motor current to a threshold motor current level; and

changing the current supplied to the motor by changing a state of the relay when the motor current level exceeds the threshold motor current level for a specified position range of the working portion in the end effector.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the motor control means is for reducing to zero the current supplied to the motor when the position of the working portion is within the specified position range of the end effector and the current exceeds the threshold current level.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the specified position range of the end effector is the specified position range at a proximal end of the end effector.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the handle houses the motor.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the handle comprises a user-control that, when activated by a user of the surgical instrument, actuates the firing system.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 7, further comprising a staple cartridge.

13. A cordless surgical instrument for cutting and stapling tissue, comprising:

a handle;

a battery in the handle;

a shaft connected to the handle;

an end effector connected to the shaft, wherein the end effector comprises a proximal end and a distal end, and wherein the proximal end is closer to the shaft than the distal end, and

a firing system, comprising;

a cutting member configured to move toward the distal end during a firing stroke;

a motor comprising an output connected to the shaft, wherein the battery powers the motor;

a rotary encoder in the handle for outputting output signals indicative of rotation of the shaft;

a pulse width modulation controller in the handle to control the speed at which the output shaft of the motor rotates;

a control circuit in the handle, wherein the control circuit comprises a relay connected to the motor, wherein the control circuit, and wherein the control circuit is configured to;

determine a position of the working portion in the end effector based on the output signals from the rotary encoder; and

compare a current through the motor with a threshold and change the current to the motor by changing a state of the relay when both the working portion is within a specified position range in the end effector and the motor current level exceeds a threshold motor current level for the specified position range.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13, further comprising a staple cartridge.