Accessing data stored in a memory of a surgical instrument
First Claim
1. A system for capturing sensor data from a surgical procedure, the system comprising:
- a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, wherein the surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises;
a control unit comprising a memory device;
a shaft;
an end effector connected to the shaft, wherein the end effector comprises;
first and second opposing jaw members for clamping tissue therebetween; and
a cutting instrument that traverses longitudinally the end effector when actuated; and
at least one sensor in communication with the control unit, wherein the memory device stores data from the at least one sensor, and wherein the at least one sensor comprises a cutting instrument position sensor, located in the end effector, that senses a position of the cutting instrument in the end effector; and
an external computer device in communication with the control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument via a data link, wherein the external computer device is for downloading data from the memory device of the control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument.
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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.
3676 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system for capturing sensor data from a surgical procedure, the system comprising:
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a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, wherein the surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises; a control unit comprising a memory device; a shaft; an end effector connected to the shaft, wherein the end effector comprises; first and second opposing jaw members for clamping tissue therebetween; and a cutting instrument that traverses longitudinally the end effector when actuated; and at least one sensor in communication with the control unit, wherein the memory device stores data from the at least one sensor, and wherein the at least one sensor comprises a cutting instrument position sensor, located in the end effector, that senses a position of the cutting instrument in the end effector; and an external computer device in communication with the control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument via a data link, wherein the external computer device is for downloading data from the memory device of the control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification