STERILIZATION VERIFICATION CIRCUIT

• US 20150272581A1
• 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: Leimbach, Richard L., Adams, Shane R., Overmyer, Mark D., Swensgard, Brett E., Lytle, Thomas W. IV, Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Houser, Kevin L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,826,977 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 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00075 Motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00132 Setting operation time of a device A61B2017/00123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping channel for multiple instruments A61B2017/3445; instrument channel A61B2017/22072; replaceable heads A61B2017/2931; suction A61M1/00
• 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 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07285 characterised by its cutter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/081 for contamination or dirt
• 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 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 3/00 : Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 : Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/563 : including two stages of regulation at least one of which is output level responsive, e.g. coarse and fine regulation
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/61 : including two stages of regulation, at least one of which is output level responsive
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 5/00 : Systems for regulating electric variables by detecting deviations in the electric input to the system and thereby controlling a device within the system to obtain a regulated output
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3296 : by lowering the supply or operating voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 11/006 : in case of too high or too low voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/087 : for dc applications
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/18 : responsive to reversal of direct current
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/1213 : for DC-DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0067 : Converter structures employing plural converter units, other than for parallel operation of the units on a single load

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, and a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments comprising a storage verification segment configured to indicate when a surgical instrument has been properly stored and sterilized.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument control circuit, comprising:

a primary processor;

a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor; and

a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor, the plurality of circuit segments comprising a storage verification segment configured to indicate when a surgical instrument has been properly stored and sterilized.

2. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the storage verification segment comprises at least one sensor configured to detect one or more improper storage or sterilization parameters.

3. The control circuit of claim 2, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a drop protection sensor, and wherein the safety processor is configured to prevent operation of at least one of the plurality of circuit segments when the drop protection sensor detects that the surgical instrument has been dropped.

4. The control circuit of claim 3, wherein the drop protection sensor comprises a shock sensor.

5. The control circuit of claim 3, wherein the drop protection sensor comprises an accelerometer.

6. The control circuit of claim 2, wherein at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor, and wherein the safety processor is configured to prevent operation of at least one of the plurality of circuit segments when the temperature sensor detects a temperature above a predetermined threshold.

7. The control circuit of claim 6, wherein the temperature sensor comprises a bimetal temperature strip.

8. The control circuit of claim 1, the at least one sensor comprises a moisture detection sensor, and wherein the safety processor is configured to control operation of at least one of the plurality of circuit segments when the moisture detection sensor detects moisture.

9. The control circuit of claim 8, wherein the moisture detection sensor is configured to detect an autoclave cycle, wherein the safety processor is configured to prevent operation of the surgical instrument unless the autoclave cycle has been detected.

10. The control circuit of claim 8, wherein the safety processor is configured to prevent operation of the at least one of the plurality of circuit segments when moisture is detected during a staged circuit start-up.

11. A surgical instrument control circuit, comprising:

a primary processor;

a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor; and

a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor, the plurality of circuit segments comprising a sterilization verification segment configured to indicate when a surgical instrument has been properly sterilized.

12. The control circuit of claim 11, wherein the sterilization verification segment comprises at least one sensor configured to detect sterilization of the surgical instrument.

13. The control circuit of claim 12, wherein at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor, and wherein proper sterilization of the surgical instrument corresponds to a temperature between a first predetermined value and a second predetermined value.

14. The control circuit of claim 12, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a moisture detection sensor.

15. The control circuit of claim 14, wherein the moisture detection sensor is configured to detect an autoclave cycle, and wherein the autoclave cycle corresponds to proper sterilization of the surgical instrument.

16. A surgical instrument control circuit, comprising:

a primary processor;

a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor; and

a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor, the plurality of circuit segments comprising a storage verification segment configured to indicate when a surgical instrument has been properly stored.

17. The control circuit of claim 16, wherein the storage verification segment comprises at least one sensor configured to detect improper storage of the surgical instrument.

18. The control circuit of claim 17, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a drop protection sensor, and wherein the safety processor is configured to prevent operation of at least one of the plurality of circuit segments when the drop protection sensor detects that the surgical instrument has been dropped.

19. The control circuit of claim 18, wherein the drop protection sensor comprises a shock sensor.

20. The control circuit of claim 18, wherein the drop protection sensor comprises an accelerometer.