ACCESSING DATA STORED IN A MEMORY OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A process and system are disclosed for downloading sensor data, stored in a memory device of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, to an external or remote computer device. The process may involve storing data from one or more sensors of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument in a memory device of a control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument during a surgical procedure involving the surgical cutting and fastening instrument. Next, after the surgical procedure, a data link between the control unit and the remote computer device is established. Then, the sensor data can be downloaded from the control unit to the remote computer device.
461 Citations
18 Claims
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1. (canceled)
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2. A surgical stapling system, comprising:
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an end effector configurable in an open configuration and a clamped configuration, comprising; a frame; a staple cartridge supported by said frame, wherein said staple cartridge comprises; a deck; staple cavities defined in said deck; staples removably stored within said staple cavities; and a firing member movable between a starting position and an ending position, wherein said firing member moves toward said ending position in response to a firing motion, and wherein said firing motion deploys said staples from said staple cartridge; and an anvil configured to deform said staples; a sensor configured to produce a signal corresponding to the position of said anvil; a clamping system configured to place said end effector in said clamped configuration; an electric motor configured to generate rotary motion; a rotatable drive screw drivable by said electric motor, wherein said drive screw is threadably engaged with said firing member such that said rotary motion of said electric motor is converted to said firing motion of said firing member; a control system in operable communication with said sensor and said electric motor, wherein said control system is configured to evaluate said signal produced by said sensor to determine the configuration of said end effector, wherein said control system allows said electric motor to provide said firing motion to said firing member if said control system determines that said end effector is in said clamped configuration, and wherein said control system does not allow said electric motor to provide said firing motion to said firing member if said control system determines that said end effector is in said open configuration; and a remote user-controlled console electrically coupled to said control system. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A surgical stapling system, comprising:
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an end effector, comprising; a first jaw; a staple cartridge supported in said first jaw, wherein said staple cartridge comprises; a deck; staple cavities defined in said deck; staples removably stored within said staple cavities; and a motor-powered firing member configured to move between an unfired position and a fired position, wherein said motor-powered firing member moves toward said fired position during a firing stroke, wherein said firing stroke deploys said staples from said staple cavities; a second jaw configured to deform said staples when said staples are deployed from said staple cavities; a clamping system configured to position said end effector in a clamped configuration; a sensor configured to change from an open state to a clamped state when said end effector is in said clamped configuration; a firing actuator; a control circuit electrically coupled to said sensor, wherein said control circuit provides said firing stroke to said motor-powered firing member if said control circuit identifies that said sensor is in said clamped state and said firing actuator is actuated, and wherein said control circuit does not provide said firing stroke to said motor-powered firing member if said control circuit identifies that said sensor is in said open state; and a remote user-controlled console. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A surgical stapling system, comprising:
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an end effector configurable in an open configuration and a clamped configuration, comprising; a frame; a staple cartridge supported by said frame, wherein said staple cartridge comprises; a deck; staple cavities defined in said deck; staples removably stored within said staple cavities; and a firing member movable between a proximal position and a distal position, wherein said firing member moves toward said distal position in response to a firing motion, wherein said firing motion deploys said staples from said staple cartridge; and an anvil configured to deform said staples; a sensor responsive to the configuration of said end effector; a closure system configured to place said end effector in said clamped configuration; a rotatable input drivable by a motorized system, wherein said rotatable input is operably engaged with said firing member such that rotary motion of said motorized system is converted to said firing motion of said firing member; a control system in operable communication with said sensor and said motorized system, wherein said control system is configured to assess said sensor to identify the configuration of said end effector, wherein said control system allows said motorized system to provide said firing motion to said firing member if said control system determines that said end effector is in said clamped configuration, and wherein said control system does not allow said motorized system to provide said firing motion to said firing member if said control system determines that said end effector is in said open configuration; and a remote user-controlled console electrically coupled to said control system. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification