SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE PROGRAM RESPONSES DURING A FIRING MOTION

• US 20170296177A1
• Filed: 04/15/2016
• Published: 10/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2016
• 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., Overmyer, Mark D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,828,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/0686 having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• 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 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• 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 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• 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 2017/00398 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 2017/00725 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 2017/07285 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 2090/061 : for measuring dimensions, e.g. length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• 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 2090/304 : using chemi-luminescent materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 : using white LEDs
• 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

Abstract

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge, an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel, a knife mechanically coupled to the staple cartridge, an electric motor and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor. The control circuit is configured to change a firing motion a first way based on a first value of a projected peak firing force and a second way based on a second value of the projected peak firing force value.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge;

an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel;

a closure tube mechanically coupled to the anvil;

an electric motor; and

a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to;

detect a first event;

trigger a first response to the first event; and

trigger a second repose to the first event;

wherein the control circuit is further configured to determine which of the first and second responses to use based on a measured parameter as the first event is approached.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the measured parameter is velocity, load, motor current, or anvil pressure measured as the first event is approached.

3. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge;

an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel;

a closure tube mechanically coupled to the anvil;

an electric motor; and

a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to change a closing motion of the surgical instrument at least two different ways based on the closing force.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein one of the at least two ways comprises changing the closing motion to oscillate the closure tube.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein one of the at least two ways comprises changing the closing motion to vibrate the anvil.

6. The medical instrument of claim 3, wherein the control circuit comprises:

at least one sensor configured to sense the closing force; and

a controller electrically coupled to the at least one sensor and the electric motor.

7. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge;

an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel;

a closure tube mechanically coupled to the anvil;

an electric motor; and

a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to automatically change a closing motion;

a first way based on a first value of a projected peak closing force; and

a second way based on a second value of the projected peak closing force.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the control circuit comprises:

at least one sensor configured to sense the closing force; and

a controller electrically coupled to the at least one sensor and the electric motor.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the first way comprises changing the closing motion to at least one of:

stop a closing of the anvil;

increase a speed of the closure tube;

decrease the speed of the closure tube;

change a velocity of the closing tube; and

oscillate the closing tube.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein the second way comprises changing the closing motion to at least one of:

stop a closing of the anvil;

increase a speed of the closure tube;

decrease the speed of the closure tube;

change a velocity of the closing tube; and

oscillate the closing tube.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the first way is different from the second way.

12. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge;

an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel;

a knife mechanically coupled to the staple cartridge;

an electric motor; and

a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to change a firing motion of the surgical instrument at least two different ways based on the firing force.

13. The medical instrument of claim 12, wherein the control circuit comprises:

at least one sensor configured to sense the firing force; and

a controller electrically coupled to the at least one sensor and the electric motor.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the first way comprises changing the firing motion to at least one of:

stop an advancement of the knife;

increase a velocity of the knife;

decrease a velocity of the knife; and

oscillate the knife.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the second way comprises changing the firing motion to at least one of:

stop an advancement of the knife;

increase a velocity of the knife;

decrease a velocity of the knife; and

oscillate the knife.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the first way is different from the second way.

17. A surgical instrument, comprising:

an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge;

an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel;

a knife mechanically coupled to the staple cartridge;

an electric motor; and

a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to change a firing motion;

a first way based on a first value of a projected peak firing force; and

a second way based on a second value of the projected peak firing force value.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein the control circuit comprises:

a first sensor configured to sense the firing force;

a second sensor configured to sense a position of the knife; and

a controller electrically coupled to the first and second sensors and the electric motor.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein:

the first sensor comprises a strain gauge; and

the second sensor comprises a Hall-effect sensor.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein changing the firing motion comprises controlling at least one of the following:

a direction of rotation of the electric motor; and

a speed of the electric motor.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 17, wherein the first way comprises changing the firing motion to at least one of:

stop an advancement of the knife;

increase a velocity of the knife;

decrease a velocity of the knife; and

oscillate the knife.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 21, wherein the second way comprises changing the firing motion to at least one of:

stop an advancement of the knife;

increase a velocity of the knife;

decrease a velocity of the knife; and

oscillate the knife.