Surgical instrument with wireless communication between a control unit of a robotic system and remote sensor

• US 8,684,253 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2011
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Giordano, James R., Swayze, Jeffrey S., Shelton, Frederick E. IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Nash, Brian D
• Application Number:
  US13/118,259
• Publication Number:
  US 20110295270A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 2271751-1821, 227/19
• US Class Current: 227/180.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 17/072 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 17/105 Wound clamp magazines for packaging sharps A61B50/3001
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1222 Packages or dispensers therefor clip magazines incorporated in a clip-applying instrument A61B17/128; for surgical articles A61B50/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/295 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00039 Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00212 using remote controls
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00362 Packages or dispensers for MIS instruments A61B2017/0479 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00685 Archimedes screw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/07214 Stapler heads
• 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 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 : additional movable means performing cutting operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320097 : with stapling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2053 : Tracking an applied voltage gradient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2059 : Mechanical position encoders
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2072 : Reference field transducer attached to an instrument or patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/302 : specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• 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 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/028 : Microscale sensors, e.g. electromechanical sensors [MEMS]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 : Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/36 : for collecting or disposing of used articles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/98 : using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 5/04 : Packaging single articles
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/16 : by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/18 : by liquids or gases B65B55/14 takes precedence

Abstract

A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system that has a control unit and a shaft portion that includes an electrically conductive elongated member that is attached to a portion of the robotic system. The elongated member is configured to transmit control motions from the robotic system to an end effector.

Claims

1. A surgical system comprising:

a robotic system comprising;

a control unit;

a shaft portion that includes at least one electrically conductive elongated member outer tube that is electrically coupled to the control unit;

a drive shaft disposed at least partially within the at least one electrically conductive outer tube and being operably coupled to a portion of said robotic system for transmitting control motions from the robotic system, and wherein the surgical system further comprises;

a surgical instrument comprising an end effector that is configured to be operably coupled to the at least one electrically conductive outer tube and said drive shaft for receiving said control motions from said robotic system, said end effector including at least one sensor that is electrically insulated from the at least one elongated electrically conductive outer tube such that the at least one elongated electrically conductive outer tube wirelessly radiates communication signals from the control unit to the at least one sensor and can receive wirelessly radiated communication signals from the at least one sensor.

2. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a magnetoresistive sensor.

3. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor.

4. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a RFID sensor.

5. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises a MEMS sensor.

6. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an electromechanical sensor.

7. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is connected to a plastic cartridge of the end effector.

8. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises an electrically conductive component coupled to the at least one electrically conductive outer tube, wherein the electrically conductive component is configured to radiate communication signals to and from the at least one sensor.

9. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises an endoscopic surgical instrument.

10. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a cutting and fastening surgical instrument.

11. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises a cutting instrument.

12. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises a plastic cartridge and the at least one sensor is disposed in the cartridge.

13. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the communication signals radiated wirelessly from the shaft portion use a wireless communication protocol.

14. The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the wireless signals comprise RF wireless signals.

15. A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system that has a control unit and a shaft portion that includes an elongated electrically conductive outer tube that is attached to a portion of said robotic system and at least partially houses a drive shaft therein, the surgical instrument comprising an end effector that is configured to be operably coupled to the shaft portion for receiving control motions from said robotic system, said end effector having at least one sensor that is electrically insulated from the elongated electrically conductive outer tube such that the elongated electrically conductive member outer tube can wirelessly radiate communication signals from the control unit to the at least one sensor and can receive wirelessly radiated communication signals from the at least one sensor.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 15 wherein the drive shaft is powered by a motor supported within a tool drive assembly coupled to said robotic system.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the at least one sensor is connected to a plastic cartridge of the end effector.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the end effector comprises an electrically conductive component coupled to the elongated electrically conductive outer tube, wherein the electrically conductive component is configured to radiate wireless communication signals to and from the at least one sensor.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein the end effector comprises a plastic staple cartridge and the at least one sensor is disposed in the staple cartridge.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the communication signals radiated wirelessly from the shaft portion use a wireless communication protocol.