STAPLE FORMATION DETECTION MECHANISMS

• US 20170296189A1
• 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: Vendely, Michael J., Scheib, Charles J., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Harris, Jason L., Moir, Robert S., Consonni, Sofia Maria, Sams, Stephen, Akram, Ismail, Goldrein, Howell T.
• Granted Patent: US 10,456,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00026 Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00057 Light
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00066 intensity
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00415 having power generation near the working tip of the tool
• 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 2017/00929 isolating electrical current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07264 characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07271 characterised by its cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07278 : characterised by its sled or its staple holder
• 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 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/309 : using white LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders

Abstract

A medical instrument has an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples. The medical instrument also has an anvil mechanically coupled to the elongated channel, wherein the anvil comprises an exterior surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end. In addition, the medical instrument has at least one electrical circuit at least partially positioned on the exterior surface of the anvil, an indicator system comprising at least one indicator, and a logic circuit electrically in electrical communication with the at least one electrical circuit and the indicator system, wherein the logic circuit is configured to activate the at least one indicator when an electrical continuity of the at least one electrical circuit is interrupted.

Claims

1. A medical instrument, comprising:

an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples;

an anvil mechanically coupled to the elongated channel, wherein the anvil defines first and second staple-forming pockets;

a first electrically conductive circuit element positioned within the first staple-forming pocket;

a second electrically conductive circuit element positioned within the second staple-forming pocket; and

a control circuit electrically coupled to the first and second electrically conductive circuit elements, wherein the control circuit is configured to;

determine a state of the first electrically conductive element;

determine a state of the second electrically conductive element; and

determine a formation characteristic of one of the plurality of staples based on the state of the first electrically conductive element and the state of the second electrically conductive elements.

2. The medical instrument of claim 1, further comprising:

a staple cartridge supported by the elongated channel, wherein the staple cartridge;

defines a first staple cavity; and

comprises the plurality of staples, wherein the plurality of staples comprises a first staple removably positioned within the first staple cavity.

3. The medical instrument of claim 2, wherein the first staple cavity is registered with the first and second staple-forming pockets.

4. The medical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first staple comprises:

a base;

a first leg extending from the base; and

a second leg extending from the base, wherein the second leg is distal to the first leg.

5. The medical instrument of claim 4, further comprising a movable sled configured to drive the first leg toward the first staple-forming pocket and the second leg toward the second staple-forming pocket.

6. The medical instrument of claim 5, wherein the first staple-forming pocket is configured to bend the first leg toward the base when the first leg is driven against the first staple-forming pocket, and wherein the second staple-forming pocket is configured to bend the second leg toward the base when the second leg is driven against the second staple-forming pocket.

7. The medical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first electrically conductive element comprises:

a first electrically insulative material positioned on a surface of the first staple-forming pocket;

an electrically conductive material positioned on the first electrically insulative material; and

a second electrically insulative material positioned on the electrically conductive material.

8. The medical instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the formation characteristic of the first staple comprises a proper formation of the first staple; and

the formation characteristic of the second staple comprises a proper formation of the second staple.

9. The medical instrument of claim 1, wherein:

the first electrically conductive circuit element positioned within the first staple-forming pocket defines a first resistance before contact with a staple and a second resistance after contact with a staple; and

wherein the control circuit is configured to;

determine the resistance of the first electrically conductive element; and

determine a formation characteristic of a staple based on the resistance of the first electrically conductive element.

10. The medical instrument of claim 9, wherein:

the second electrically conductive circuit element positioned within the second staple-forming pocket defines a first resistance before contact with a staple and a second resistance after contact with a staple; and

wherein the control circuit is configured to;

determine the resistance of the second electrically conductive element; and

determine a formation characteristic of a staple based on the resistance of the second electrically conductive element.

11. The medical instrument of claim 9, wherein:

wherein the control circuit is configured to;

determine a period of time for the first electrically conductive element to change from the first resistance to the second resistance; and

determine a formation characteristic of a staple based on the period of time.

12. A medical instrument, comprising:

an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples;

an anvil mechanically coupled to the elongated channel, wherein the anvil comprises an exterior surface extending between a proximal end and a distal end;

at least one electrical circuit at least partially positioned on the exterior surface of the anvil;

an indicator system comprising at least one indicator; and

a logic circuit electrically in electrical communication with the at least one electrical circuit and the indicator system, wherein the logic circuit is configured to activate the at least one indicator when an electrical continuity of the at least one electrical circuit is interrupted.

13. The medical instrument of claim 12, wherein the exterior surface of the anvil comprises at least one staple-forming pocket, and wherein the at least one electrical circuit comprises at least one portion positioned on the exterior surface adjacent the at least one staple-forming pocket.

14. The medical instrument of claim 13, wherein the at least one indicator is activated when the at least one portion is disrupted.

15. The medical instrument of claim 12, wherein the exterior surface of the anvil comprises an outer edge, and wherein the at least one electrical circuit comprises at least one portion positioned on the outer edge.

16. The medical instrument of claim 15, wherein the at least one indicator is activated when the at least one portion is disrupted.

17. The medical instrument of claim 12, wherein the exterior surface of the anvil comprises at least one staple-forming pocket, and wherein the at least one electrical circuit comprises at least one portion positioned on the exterior surface within the at least one staple-forming pocket.

18. The medical instrument of claim 17, wherein the at least one indicator is activated when the at least one portion is disrupted.

19. The medical instrument of claim 12, wherein the at least one indicator is positioned on the exterior surface of the anvil.

20. A medical instrument, comprising:

an anvil including at least one staple-forming pocket;

a staple cartridge including at least one staple configured to be formed against the at least one staple-forming pocket of the anvil;

a sensor configured to measure at least one staple-forming force; and

a logic circuit in electrical communication with the sensor, wherein the logic circuit is configured to assess a formation characteristic of the at least one staple based on the measured staple-forming force.

21. The medical instrument of claim 20, further comprising a movable sled configured to drive the at least one staple into forming contact with the at least one staple-forming pocket.

22. The medical instrument of claim 21, wherein the movable sled comprises a ramp, and wherein the sensor is positioned on the ramp.

23. The medical instrument of claim 21, further comprising a drive assembly configured to motivate the movable sled to drive the at least one staple into forming contact with the at least one staple-forming pocket, wherein the sensor is positioned between the movable sled and the drive assembly.

24. A medical instrument, comprising:

an anvil including at least one staple-forming pocket;

a staple cartridge including at least one staple configured to be formed against the at least one staple-forming pocket of the anvil;

a sensor configured to measure at least one spring-back force of the at least one staple; and

a logic circuit in electrical communication with the sensor, wherein the logic circuit is configured to assess a formation characteristic of the at least one staple based on the measured spring-back force.