Surgical instrument having a feedback system

• US 20070175949A1
• Filed: 01/31/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Swayze, Jeffrey, Timperman, Eugene, Shelton, Frederick, Doll, Kevin, Morgan, Jerome
• Granted Patent: US 8,708,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 227/176.100
• 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 17/28 Surgical forceps for holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483; for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221; surgical scissors A61B17/3201 ; obstetrical forceps A61B17/44; for inserting intraocular lenses A61F2/1662; hand-held gripping tools in general B25B7/00 ]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• 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 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• 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 2090/0811 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 34/76 Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence

Abstract

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument comprises a plurality of sensors, and a status module releasably connected to the surgical instrument. The status module comprises a plurality of contacts, a circuit, and a plurality of indicators. Each individual contact is in electrical communication with a different sensor. The circuit is in electrical communication with at least one of the contacts. At least one of the indicators is in electrical communication with the circuit.

Claims

1. A status module for use with a surgical instrument comprising a plurality of sensors, the status module comprising:

a housing structured and arranged to releasably connect to the surgical instrument;

a plurality of contacts, wherein each individual contact is structured and arranged to be in electrical communication with a different sensor when the housing is connected to the surgical instrument;

a circuit in electrical communication with at least one of the contacts; and

a plurality of indicators, wherein at least one of the indicators is in electrical communication with the circuit.

2. The status module of claim 1, wherein the circuit comprises a drive circuit.

3. The status module of claim 2, wherein the circuit further comprises a counter.

4. The status module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of indicators comprises a visual indicator in electrical communication with the circuit.

5. The status module of claim 4, wherein the visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode.

6. The status module of claim 4, wherein the visual indicator comprises at least one of the following:

an alpha numeric display;

a dot matrix display; and

a liquid crystal display.

7. The status module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of indicators comprises:

a visual indicator in electrical communication with the circuit; and

an audible indicator in electrical communication with the circuit.

8. The status module of claim 7, wherein the audible indicator comprises an audio output device.

9. The status module of claim 7, further comprising a switch in electrical communication with the audible indicator.

10. The status module of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter in electrical communication with the circuit.

11. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a plurality of sensors; and

a status module releasably connected to the surgical instrument, wherein the status module comprises;

a plurality of contacts, wherein each individual contact is in electrical communication with a different sensor;

a circuit in electrical communication with at least one of the contacts; and

a plurality of indicators, wherein at least one of the indicators is in electrical communication with the circuit.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one of the following:

an articulation angle sensor;

an anvil position sensor;

a cartridge sensor;

a closure trigger sensor;

a closure force sensor;

a firing force sensor;

a knife position sensor; and

a lockout condition sensor.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the circuit comprises a drive circuit.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the plurality of indicators comprises a visual indicator in electrical communication with the circuit.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the visual indicator comprises a light emitting diode.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the visual indicator comprises one of the following:

an alpha numeric display;

a dot matrix display; and

a liquid crystal display.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the plurality of indicators comprises:

a visual indicator in electrical communication with the circuit; and

an audible indicator in electrical communication with the circuit.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein the audible indicator is an audio output device.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 17, further comprising a switch in electrical communication with the audible indicator.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 11, further comprising a transmitter in electrical communication with the circuit.