Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and remote sensor
First Claim
1. A surgical instrument for use with an actuation device that has a control unit, the surgical instrument comprising:
- an electrically conductive tube; and
an end effector that is configured to be operably coupled to the electrically conductive tube, wherein the end effector comprises at least one sensor that is electrically insulated from the electrically conductive tube, wherein the electrically conductive tube is for wirelessly radiating communication signals from the control unit to the at least one sensor and for receiving wirelessly radiated communication signals from the at least one sensor.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.
3259 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A surgical instrument for use with an actuation device that has a control unit, the surgical instrument comprising:
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an electrically conductive tube; and an end effector that is configured to be operably coupled to the electrically conductive tube, wherein the end effector comprises at least one sensor that is electrically insulated from the electrically conductive tube, wherein the electrically conductive tube is for wirelessly radiating communication signals from the control unit to the at least one sensor and for receiving wirelessly radiated communication signals from the at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A surgical instrument for use with an actuation device that has a control unit, the surgical instrument comprising:
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an electrically conductive tube that at least partially houses a drive shaft therein; and an end effector that is configured to be operably coupled to the electrically conductive tube and the drive shaft for receiving control motions therefrom, said end effector having at least one sensor that is electrically insulated from the electrically conductive tube, wherein the electrically conductive tube is for wirelessly radiating communication signals from the control unit to the at least one sensor and for receiving wirelessly radiated communication signals from the at least one sensor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification