SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICAL APPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND

• US 20160249915A1
• Filed: 02/27/2015
• Published: 09/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Beckman, Andrew T., Nalagatla, Anil K., Hibner, John A., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Granted Patent: US 10,180,463 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 17/072 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 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0003 of parts of the instruments
• 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 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• 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 2017/00716 simulating physical properties
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3008 having multiple compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0809 Indication of cracks or breakages
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0812 : indicating loosening or shifting of parts of an instrument, signaling maladjustment of parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/33 : Trays
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/70 : Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/00 : Methods or apparatus for disinfecting or sterilising materials or objects other than foodstuffs or contact lenses; Accessories therefor for contact lenses A61L12/00; atomisers for disinfecting agents A61M; sterilisation of packages or package contents in association with packaging B65B55/00; treatment of water, waste water, sewage or sludge C02F; disinfecting paper D21H21/36; disinfecting devices for water closets E03D; articles having provision for disinfection, see the relevant subclasses for these articles, e.g. H04R1/12
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 3/00 : Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/36 : Arrangements for testing, measuring or monitoring the electrical condition of accumulators or electric batteries, e.g. capacity or state of charge [SoC]
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 : comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 : Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 : adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/00 : Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0016 : using shunting, discharge or bypass circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 : characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 : specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A surgical apparatus is disclosed which comprises a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure. The handle module comprises a rotary drive system for driving the detachable shaft module, an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system, one or more sensors for sensing the performance of the electric motor, and a handle module processor circuit in communication with the one or more sensors. The handle module processor circuit is programmed to monitor a performance parameter of the handle module based on input from the one or more sensors by monitoring whether the performance parameter is outside an acceptable performance band.

Claims

1. A surgical apparatus comprising:

a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, wherein the handle module comprises;

a rotary drive system for driving the detachable shaft module;

an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system;

one or more sensors for sensing data about the electric motor; and

a handle module processor circuit in communication with the one or more sensors, wherein the handle module processor circuit is programmed to monitor a performance parameter of the handle module based on input from the one or more sensors, and wherein the handle module processor circuit monitors the performance parameter of the handle module by monitoring whether the performance parameter is outside an acceptable performance band.

2. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor circuit monitors the performance parameter of the handle module by monitoring whether the performance parameter is below or above the acceptable performance band.

3. The surgical apparatus of claim 1, wherein the handle module further comprises means for taking remedial action when the handle module processor circuit determines that the performance parameter is outside the acceptable performance band.

4. The surgical apparatus of claim 3, wherein the performance parameter comprises a performance parameter of the electric motor.

5. The surgical apparatus of claim 4, wherein the performance parameter of the electric motor comprises the energy consumed by the electric motor over the life of the handle module.

6. The surgical apparatus of claim 4, wherein the performance parameter of the electric motor comprises the power consumed by the electric motor for each firing of the handle module.

7. The surgical apparatus of claim 4, wherein the performance parameter of the electric motor comprises the energy consumed by the electric motor over the life of the handle module and the power consumed by the electric motor for each firing of the handle module.

8. The surgical apparatus of claim 7, wherein the handle module processor circuit is programmed to determine that remedial action should be taken when at least one of the following conditions is met:

the energy consumed by the electric motor over the life of the handle module exceeds a first energy threshold value; and

the energy consumed by the electric motor over the life of the handle module exceeds a second energy threshold value, which is lower than the first energy threshold value, and the handle module has had a threshold number of device firings above a threshold power level.

9. The surgical apparatus of claim 4, wherein the performance parameter comprises output torque of the electric motor.

10. The surgical apparatus of claim 4, wherein the performance parameter comprises a performance parameter of the rotary drive system.

11. The surgical apparatus of claim 10, wherein the performance parameter of the rotary drive system comprises gear backlash.

12. The surgical apparatus of claim 3, wherein the means for taking remedial action comprises a display for displaying a condition of the handle module.

13. The surgical apparatus of claim 3, wherein the means for taking remedial action comprises means for disabling the handle module.

14. The surgical apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for disabling the handle module comprises means for preventing the insertion of a charged, removable battery pack into the handle module to power the handle module during a surgical procedure.

15. The surgical apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means for preventing the insertion of a charged, removable battery pack comprises a spring-loaded mechanical lock-out.

16. The surgical apparatus of claim 14, wherein the means for preventing the insertion of a charged, removable battery pack comprises a latch that, when actuated, prevents the removal of a discharged, removable battery pack from the handle module.

17. A surgical apparatus, comprising:

a detachable shaft module; and

a handle module connected to the detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, wherein the handle module comprises;

a rotary drive system for driving the detachable shaft module;

an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system;

means for monitoring a performance parameter of at least one of the electric motor and the rotary drive system; and

means for taking a remedial action upon a determination that the performance parameter is outside an acceptable performance band.

18. The surgical apparatus of claim 17, wherein the performance parameter comprises the energy consumed by the electric motor over the life of the handle module.

19. The surgical apparatus of claim 17, wherein the performance parameter comprises the power consumed by the electric motor for each firing of the handle module.

20. The surgical apparatus of claim 17, wherein the performance parameter comprises the output torque of the electric motor.

21. The surgical apparatus of claim 17, wherein the means for taking remedial action comprises means for disabling the handle module.

22. The surgical apparatus of claim 21, wherein means for disabling the handle module comprises means for disabling the electric motor.

23. The surgical apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for disabling the handle module comprises means for preventing the insertion of a charged, removable battery pack into the handle module to power the handle module during a surgical procedure.