SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS

• US 20150272570A1
• Filed: 03/26/2014
• Published: 10/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Lytle, Thomas W. IV, Overmyer, Mark D., Adams, Shane R., Leimbach, Richard L., Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Swensgard, Brett E., Houser, Kevin L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,820,738 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 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• 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 2017/00225 Systems for controlling multiple different instruments, e.g. microsurgical systems
• 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 2017/00482 with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0805 automatically, e.g. by means of magnetic, optical or photoelectric detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 Indication means
• 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 34/25 User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/05 Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/14018 IN, plc and comparator, error detector, backup, standby plc, switch, update OUT
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 : for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

In various instances, the surgical instrument can include a data storage protocol and/or at least one security feature. The surgical instrument can include a locking circuit, for example. In various instances, the surgical instrument can include sensors and/or magnets for detecting various characteristics of the surgical instrument, surgical operation, and/or surgical site. The surgical instrument can require a temporary access code for operating and/or can be selected for connection to an external display. A surgical system can include a first modular component, a second modular component, and a feedback system. The feedback system can include an engagement sensor, which can detect the engagement and/or degree of engagement of the first modular component and the second modular component.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

obtaining a surgical instrument having a data storage protocol;

performing a surgical function with the surgical instrument;

recording data during the performance of the surgical function;

storing data on the surgical instrument in accordance with the data storage protocol; and

entering a key to override the data storage protocol.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data storage protocol mandates deletion of the recorded data after completion of the surgical function.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the data storage protocol mandates deletion of the recorded data after a predefined period of time.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a motion sensor, and wherein the data storage protocol mandates deletion of the recorded data after a predefined period of stillness is detected by the motion sensor.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data storage protocol mandates deletion of the recorded data when the surgical instrument is powered off.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

overriding the data storage protocol if an error is detected during the surgical function.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the key comprises an operator-specific identification code.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the key comprises a checksum value.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a data exchange port, and wherein the key comprises a secure data exchange input configured to detachably engage the data exchange port.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the data storage protocol authorizes wireless access to a remote data reader when the key has been entered.

11. A method, comprising:

obtaining a surgical instrument handle for a surgical system, wherein the surgical instrument handle comprises;

a trigger;

an electric motor; and

a microcontroller in signal communication with said trigger and said electric motor, wherein said microcontroller comprises a locking circuit;

obtaining a surgical instrument attachment for the surgical system;

operably attaching the surgical instrument attachment to the surgical instrument handle to form at least a portion of the surgical system; and

entering an access code into the surgical system to unlock the locking circuit of the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller is configured to prevent actuation of the electric motor until the access code has been entered into the surgical system.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

relocking the locking circuit after a predefined period of time.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

actuating the trigger after entering the access code in the surgical system, thereby initiating a firing stroke, wherein a plurality of fasteners are fired from the surgical instrument attachment during the firing stroke.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

relocking the locking circuit after a predefined number of firing strokes.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

purchasing the access code.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein entering an access code into the surgical system to unlock the locking circuit of the controller further comprises:

obtaining a nonvolatile memory device comprising the access code; and

coupling the non-volatile memory device to the surgical instrument.

17. A surgical system, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

a trigger; and

an electric motor;

an end effector comprising a plurality of deployable fasteners;

a shaft intermediate said handle and said end effector;

a microcontroller configured to record data during a surgical procedure;

a data exchange port in signal communication with said microcontroller, wherein said data exchange port comprises a mechanical lock; and

a data exchange input comprising a key, wherein said key is configured to unlock said mechanical lock when said data exchange input engages said data exchange port.

18. A surgical system, comprising:

a first modular component, comprising;

a first attachment portion; and

an electric motor;

a second modular component, comprising;

a second attachment portion moveable between a plurality of positions relative to said first attachment portion, wherein said plurality of positions comprises a disengaged position and an engaged position, and wherein said second modular component is secured relative to said first modular component when said second attachment portion is in said engaged position; and

a drivable element in communication with said electric motor when said second modular component is secured relative to said first modular component; and

a feedback system, comprising;

an engagement sensor configured to detect the position of said second attachment portion relative to said first attachment portion;

a display; and

a microcontroller in signal communication with said engagement sensor and said display, wherein said microcontroller is configured to communicate the detected position of said second attachment portion to said display.

19. The surgical system of claim 18, wherein said plurality of positions further comprises a partially-engaged position, wherein said partially-engaged position is intermediate said disengaged position and said engaged position, and wherein said engagement sensor is configured to detect said partially-engaged position.

20. The surgical system of claim 18, wherein said microcontroller is in signal communication with said electric motor, wherein said electric motor is configured to drive said drivable element during a firing stroke, and wherein said microcontroller prevents the firing stroke until said engagement sensor detects said engaged position.

21. The surgical system of claim 18, wherein said first modular component comprises a handle, and wherein said second modular component comprises a shaft and an end effector.

22. A surgical system, comprising:

a first modular component comprising an electric motor;

a second modular component;

means for securing said first modular component relative to said second modular component; and

a feedback system, comprising;

means for detecting the degree of engagement of said first modular component and said second modular component;

means for displaying information; and

means for communicating the degree of engagement detected by said means for detecting to said means for displaying information.

23. A method, comprising:

selecting a first component of a surgical instrument;

selecting a second component of the surgical instrument;

positioning the first component relative to the second component;

detecting a degree of engagement between the first component and the second component; and

communicating the detected degree of engagement to an operator of the surgical instrument.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising displaying the detected degree of engagement on a display of the first component.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising preventing a surgical function until the first component and the second component are fully engaged.