Surgical instrument with elements to communicate between control unit and end effector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A surgical instrument comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft comprising a first sensor element;
an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a second sensor element; and
a handle connected to the proximate end of the shaft, the handle comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with the first sensor element and the first sensor element is in wireless communication with the second sensor element.
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Abstract
A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft includes a first sensor element. An end effector is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a second sensor element. A handle is connected to the proximate end of the shaft. The handle includes a control unit. The control unit is in communication with the first sensor element and the first sensor element is in wireless communication with the second sensor element.
365 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft comprising a first sensor element; an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a second sensor element; and a handle connected to the proximate end of the shaft, the handle comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with the first sensor element and the first sensor element is in wireless communication with the second sensor element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A surgical instrument comprising:
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a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a sensor element; and a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft, the handle comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with the shaft and the shaft is in wireless communication with the sensor element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method comprising:
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obtaining a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument comprises; a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft comprising a first sensor element; an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a second sensor element; and a handle connected to the proximate end of the shaft, the handle comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with the first sensor element and the first sensor element is in wireless communication with the second sensor element. sterilizing the surgical instrument; and storing the surgical instrument in a sterile container.
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Specification