×

Surgical instrument having a power control circuit

  • US 8,695,866 B2
  • Filed: 10/01/2010
  • Issued: 04/15/2014
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A powered surgical instrument for cutting and fastening tissue, the instrument comprising:

  • an end effector comprising;

    a first jaw member;

    a second jaw member coupled to move relative to the first jaw member from an open position, where the jaw members are apart from one another, to a closed position; and

    a firing bar positioned to fire by translating within the end effector when the first and second jaw members are in the closed position;

    a drive device mechanically coupled to the firing bar;

    a drive train mechanically coupled to the drive device and to the firing bar;

    a clamping trigger mechanically coupled to the end effector such that the clamping trigger defines an actuated position that causes the second jaw member to pivot towards the first jaw member and an un-actuated position that causes the second jaw member to pivot away from the first jaw member;

    a control circuit, wherein the control circuit comprises;

    a power supply comprising a first terminal and a second terminal;

    a switching device alternately configurable between a first connection state and a second connection state;

    a firing switch positioned on a first electrical connection between the power supply, the drive device, and the switching device, wherein the firing switch defines an actuated position;

    a clamp switch in mechanical communication with the clamping trigger and positioned on a second electrical connection between the power supply and the switching device;

    an end-of-stroke switch defining a first position in which the end-of-stroke switch forms part of a third electrical connection between the first terminal of the power supply and the drive device, and a second position in which the end-of-stroke switch forms part of a fourth electrical connection between the second terminal of the power supply, the switching device, and the drive device, wherein the end-of-stroke switch is in physical contact with at least a portion of the drive train positioned to transition the end-of-stroke switch to the second position when the firing bar reaches an end of stroke;

    wherein the first electrical connection is completed when the firing switch is in the actuated position and the switching device is in the first connection state;

    wherein, upon the end-of-stroke switch transitioning to the second position, the fourth electrical connection is completed, causing the switching device to transition to the second state, wherein the transition to the second state causes the switching device to break the first electrical connection; and

    wherein, when the clamping trigger is in the un-actuated position, the clamp switch is closed to complete the second electrical connection causing the switching device to transition to the first state.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×