END STOP DETECTION

• US 20150230796A1
• Filed: 10/24/2014
• Published: 08/20/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Calderoni, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 9,974,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00132 Setting operation time of a device A61B2017/00123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00314 Separate linked members
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00327 with actuating members moving in opposite directions
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00402 Piezo electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00407 Ratchet means
• 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 2017/00477 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 2017/07221 curved
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2903 transferring rotary motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/034 abutting on parts of the device itself
• 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 90/03 Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for operating an electromechanical surgical system. The electromechanical surgical system includes a hand-held surgical instrument including an instrument housing defining a connecting portion for selectively connecting with a shaft assembly. The system also includes an end effector configured to perform at least one function. The shaft assembly is arranged for selectively interconnecting the end effector and the hand-held surgical instrument. The shaft assembly includes a drive member, a flag member configured to translate axially along the drive member, and a sensor disposed about the drive member. The sensor provides a signal indicating that the end effector has reached an end stop when the flag member contacts that sensor.

Claims

1. An electromechanical surgical system, comprising:

a hand-held surgical instrument including an instrument housing defining a connecting portion for selectively connecting with a shaft assembly;

an end effector configured to perform at least one function; and

the shaft assembly being arranged for selectively interconnecting the end effector and the hand-held surgical instrument, the shaft assembly including;

a drive member;

a flag member configured to translate axially along the first drive member; and

a sensor disposed about the first drive member,

wherein the sensor provides a signal indicating that the end effector has reached an end stop when the flag member contacts the sensor.

2. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the flag member includes a post.

3. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 2, wherein the shaft assembly includes a channel configured to receive the post of the flag member, the channel configured to prevent rotational movement of the flag member.

4. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the shaft assembly includes a channel configured to receive the sensor, the channel configured to prevent axial movement of the sensor.

5. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller, wherein the sensor provides the signal to the controller indicating that the end stop of the end effector has been reached.

6. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 5, further comprising a motor, wherein the controller stops the motor when the controller receives the signal from the sensor.

7. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a highly poled piezo crystal.

8. The electromechanical surgical system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a stack of highly poled piezo crystals.

9. An end stop detection method for a powered surgical instrument having a hand-held surgical instrument, an end effector and a shaft assembly including a drive member, a flag member, and a sensor, the method comprising:

controlling a motor within the hand-held surgical instrument to cause the drive member to rotate in a first direction thereby causing the flag member to translate axially along the drive member toward the sensor;

determining when the flag member contacts the sensor; and

stopping the motor when the flag member contacts the sensor.

10. The end stop detection method of claim 9, further comprising removing the end effector after stopping the motor.

11. The end stop detection method of claim 10, further comprising determining when a new end effector is needed based on a user input or a predetermined surgical plan.

12. The end stop detection method of claim 10, further comprising:

identifying a type of end effector to be attached to the shaft assembly as the new end effector; and

controlling the motor within the hand-held surgical instrument to cause the drive member to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction thereby causing the flag member to translate axially along the drive member away from the sensor,

wherein the drive member is rotated for a predetermined amount of time based on the type of end effector to be attached to the shaft assembly.

13. The end stop detection method of claim 11, further comprising attaching the new end effector to the shaft assembly.