METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

• US 20140277017A1
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Leimbach, Richard L., Overmyer, Mark D., Swensgard, Brett E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,888,919 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/167
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• 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 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• 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 17/32 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 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 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• 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 2017/00389 Button or wheel for performing multiple functions, e.g. rotation of shaft and end effector
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00393 with means for switching between functions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• 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 2017/00464 for use with different instruments with hole for different instruments A61B2017/22072
• 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 2017/00716 simulating physical properties
• 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 2017/2903 : transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2913 : cams or guiding means
• 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 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00172 : Connectors and adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00297 : Means for providing haptic feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00303 : active, e.g. with a motor creating vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2059 : Mechanical position encoders
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/067 : for measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• 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 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/145 : influenced by the relative movement between the Hall device and magnetic fields see G01R33/06

Abstract

A method and system for operating a surgical instrument. A surgical instrument can operate in an initial operating state and a secondary operating state. The secondary operating state can be one of a warned operating state or a modified operating state. After receiving feedback from the surgical instrument, an operator of the surgical instrument can decide whether to proceed to the warned operating state or the modified operating state.

Claims

1. A method for operating a surgical stapler, wherein the method comprises:

initiating an initial operating state, wherein a cutting element is driven distally during the initial operating state;

detecting a threshold condition at the cutting element;

communicating the threshold condition to an operator of the surgical stapler;

receiving one of a plurality of inputs from the operator, wherein the plurality of inputs comprises a first input and a second input; and

initiating a secondary operating state in response to the input from the operator, wherein the cutting element is driven distally in response to the first input, and wherein the cutting element is retracted proximally in response to the second input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the surgical stapler is designed to exert a maximum force to transect tissue, and wherein the threshold condition comprises a force at the cutting element greater than the maximum force.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the force at the cutting element exceeds the maximum force when the cutting element is driven distally in response to the first input.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the threshold condition to the operator comprises communicating a potential overload warning to the operator.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating the threshold condition to the operator comprises generating haptic feedback.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising pausing the distal advancement of the cutting element after detecting the threshold condition, and wherein the distal advancement of the cutting element is resumed in response to the first input.

7. A method for operating a surgical instrument, wherein the method comprises:

initiating an initial surgical function;

detecting a clinically-important condition;

communicating the clinically-important condition to an operator of the surgical instrument;

accepting an input from the operator; and

performing a secondary surgical function based on the input from the operator, wherein the secondary surgical function comprises one of continuing the initial surgical function or initiating a modified surgical function.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the initial surgical function comprises advancing a firing element to transect tissue.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the modified surgical function comprises retracting the firing element.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the clinically-important condition comprises a force applied to the firing element that exceeds an intended threshold force of the surgical instrument.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the force applied to the firing element exceeds the intended threshold force when the surgical instrument continues the initial surgical function.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein communicating the clinically-important condition to the operator comprises communicating a warning signal to the operator.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein communicating the clinically-important condition to the operator comprises generating haptic feedback.

14. The method of claim 7, further comprising pausing the first surgical function after detecting the clinically-important condition.

15. A system for controlling a surgical instrument, wherein the system comprises:

a motor, wherein said motor drives a firing member during a firing stroke;

a controller for controlling said motor, wherein said controller is configured to operate in a plurality of operating states during the firing stroke, and wherein the plurality of operating states comprises an advancing state and a retracting state;

a sensor configured to detect a force on the firing member, wherein the sensor and the controller are in signal communication, and wherein the controller pauses the firing stroke when the sensor detects a force on the firing member that exceeds a threshold force; and

a plurality of input keys, wherein the input keys and the controller are in signal communication, wherein the controller resumes the advancing state when a first input key is activated, and wherein the controller initiates the retracting state when a second input key is activated.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a vibrator, wherein said vibrator vibrates when said sensor detects a force on the firing member that exceeds the threshold force.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the vibrations of said vibrator comprise an potential overload warning to an operator of the surgical instrument.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the threshold force comprises a recommended maximum force for the firing member.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the force on the firing member exceeds the recommended maximum force when the controller resumes the advancing state.

20. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a firing member;

a motor configured to drive said firing member;

a controller for controlling said motor, wherein said controller is configured to operate said surgical instrument in a plurality of operating states, and wherein said plurality of operating states comprises a firing state for driving said firing member and a warned firing state for driving said firing member; and

means for operating said surgical instrument in said warned firing state.