MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

• US 20170189019A1
• Filed: 12/30/2015
• Published: 07/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Harris, Jason L., Shelton, IV, Frederick E.
• Granted Patent: US 10,368,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00075 Motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00137 Details of operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00181 Means for setting or varying the pulse energy
• 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 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00725 Calibration or performance testing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0809 Indication of cracks or breakages

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes an end effector, a drivetrain configured to transmit at least one motion to the end effector, and an electric motor operably coupled to the firing drivetrain, wherein the electric motor is configured to generate a mechanical output to motivate the drivetrain to transmit the at least one motion to the end effector. The surgical instrument further includes a controller that has a processor and a memory storing program instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to activate a safe mode in response to an acute failure of the drivetrain and activate a bailout mode in response to a catastrophic failure of the drivetrain.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a jaw assembly, comprising;

a staple cartridge including a plurality of staples; and

an anvil, wherein at least one of the staple cartridge and the anvil is movable relative to the other one of the staple cartridge and the anvil to capture tissue therebetween;

a drivetrain configured to transmit at least one motion to the jaw assembly;

an electric motor operably coupled to the drivetrain, wherein the electric motor is configured to generate a mechanical output to motivate the drivetrain to transmit the at least one motion to the jaw assembly; and

a controller, comprising;

a processor; and

a memory storing program instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

activate a safe mode in response to an acute failure of the drivetrain; and

activate a bailout mode in response to a catastrophic failure of the drivetrain.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor in response to the acute failure, cause the processor to modulate the mechanical output of the electric motor.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the modulation of the mechanical output of the electric motor comprises slowing the mechanical output.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a power source configured to generate a motor input voltage.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor in response to the acute failure, cause the processor to modulate the motor input voltage.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the modulation of the motor input voltage comprises delivering the motor input voltage in pulses.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein the modulation of the motor input voltage comprises reducing the motor input voltage.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor in response to the catastrophic failure, cause the processor to disable the electric motor.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, further comprising at least one feedback element, and wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor in response to the catastrophic failure, cause the processor to employ the at least one feedback element to provide bailout instructions.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the drivetrain is a firing drivetrain configured to cause deployment of the plurality of staples into the captured tissue during a firing sequence.

11. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector;

a drivetrain configured to transmit at least one motion to the end effector;

an electric motor operably coupled to the firing drivetrain, wherein the electric motor is configured to generate a mechanical output to motivate the drivetrain to transmit the at least one motion to the end effector; and

a controller, comprising;

a processor; and

a memory storing program instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;

activate a safe mode in response to an acute failure of the drivetrain; and

activate a bailout mode in response to a catastrophic failure of the drivetrain.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor in response to the acute failure, cause the processor to modulate the mechanical output of the electric motor.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the modulation of the mechanical output of the electric motor comprises slowing the mechanical output.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 11, further comprising a power source configured to generate a motor input voltage.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor in response to the acute failure, cause the processor to modulate the motor input voltage.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the modulation of the motor input voltage comprises delivering the motor input voltage in pulses.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the modulation of the motor input voltage comprises reducing the motor input voltage.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor in response to the catastrophic failure, cause the processor to disable the electric motor.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 18, further comprising at least one feedback element, and wherein the program instructions, when executed by the processor in response to the catastrophic failure, cause the processor to employ the at least one feedback element to provide bailout instructions.

20. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an end effector;

a drivetrain configured to transmit at least one motion to the end effector;

an electric motor operably coupled to the firing drivetrain, wherein the electric motor is configured to generate a mechanical output to motivate the drivetrain to transmit the at least one motion to the end effector;

at least one feedback element; and

a control circuit, comprising;

a plurality of sensors;

a processor; and

a memory storing program instructions, which when executed by the processor in response to an acute failure of the drivetrain, cause the processor to;

modulate a mechanical output of the electric motor;

employ the at least one feedback element to issue at least one alert; and

bypass input from a subset of the plurality of sensors.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 20, wherein the at least one alert comprises a service request.