Surgical instrument

• US 9,326,769 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2013
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Shelton, Frederick E. IV, Ouwerkerk, John N., Morgan, Jerome R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chukwurah, Nathaniel
• Application Number:
  US13/786,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20130186932A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 227/19, 227/175.1, 227/176.1, 227/178.1, 227/179.1, 227/180.1, 606/142, 606/153, 606/219
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets A61B18/00 takes precedence; contraceptive devices, pessaries, or applicators therefor A61F6/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• 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 17/1114 of the digestive tract, e.g. bowels or oesophagus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/115 Staplers for performing anastomosis in a single operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1155 Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00199 with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping channel for multiple instruments A61B2017/3445; instrument channel A61B2017/22072; replaceable heads A61B2017/2931; suction A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0042 with special provisions for gripping
• 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 2017/07257 characterised by its anvil
• 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 2017/2943 : Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/033 : Abutting means, stops, e.g. abutting on tissue or skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 : for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/065 : for measuring contact or contact pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/069 : using a plummet or weight
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• 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 34/30 : Surgical robots
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/71 : Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/74 : Manipulators with manual electric input means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/76 : Manipulators having means for providing feel, e.g. force or tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4836 : Diagnosis combined with treatment in closed-loop systems or methods A61B5/0036 takes precedence

Abstract

A surgical stapling system is disclosed. The surgical stapling system comprises a housing comprising a motor and a battery configured to supply power to the motor. The surgical stapling system further comprises a firing actuator operably coupled with the motor and a stapling assembly comprising a plurality of staples and a distal end. The surgical stapling system further comprises a shaft configured to support the stapling assembly, a firing member configured to transmit a firing motion from the motor to the stapling assembly, and a firing member sensor system configured to detect the position of the firing member within a detectable range of positions relative to the end of the stapling assembly.

Claims

1. A surgical stapling system, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

a motor; and

a battery configured to supply power to said motor;

a drive input configured to be operably coupled to said motor;

a shaft configured to support a stapling assembly selected from a first stapling assembly and a second stapling assembly;

said first stapling assembly, comprising;

a first cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said first cartridge body; and

a first drive member movable between an unfired position and a first fully-fired position;

said second stapling assembly, comprising;

a second cartridge body;

a plurality of staples removably stored in said second cartridge body; and

a second drive member movable between an unfired position and a second fully-fired position;

a firing member configured to transmit a firing motion to one of said first drive member when said first stapling assembly is supported by said shaft and said second drive member when said second stapling assembly is supported by said shaft; and

a firing member sensor configured to sense the position of said firing member within a detectable range of positions, wherein said firing member is movable through a range of firing positions, and wherein said range of firing positions is defined within said detectable range of positions.

2. The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said firing member is movable through a first range of firing positions when said first stapling assembly is assembled to said shaft, and wherein said firing member is movable through a second range of firing positions when said second stapling assembly is assembled to said shaft.

3. The surgical stapling system of claim 2, wherein said first stapling assembly is detectable through said first range of firing positions, and wherein said second stapling assembly is detectable through said second range of positions.

4. The surgical stapling system of claim 2, wherein said first range of firing positions overlaps said second range of firing positions.

5. The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said firing member sensor comprises a coil, and wherein said firing member comprises a magnetic element which is positionable within and detectable by said coil.

6. The surgical stapling system of claim 1, wherein said first stapling assembly comprises a first staple cartridge, and wherein said second stapling assembly comprises a second staple cartridge.

7. A surgical stapling system, comprising:

a handle, comprising;

a motor; and

a battery configured to supply power to said motor;

a drive input configured to be operably coupled to said motor;

a shaft configured to support a stapling assembly selected from a first stapling assembly and a second stapling assembly;

a firing member configured to transmit a firing motion to one of said first stapling assembly when said first stapling assembly is supported by said shaft and said second stapling assembly when said second stapling assembly is supported by said shaft; and

a firing member sensor configured to sense the position of said firing member within a detectable range of positions, wherein said firing member is movable through a first range of firing positions when said first stapling assembly is assembled to said shaft, wherein said firing member is movable through a second range of firing positions when said second stapling assembly is assembled to said shaft, wherein said first stapling assembly is detectable through said first range of firing positions, and wherein said second stapling assembly is detectable through said second range of positions.

8. The surgical stapling system of claim 7, wherein said firing member sensor comprises a coil, and wherein said firing member comprises a magnetic element which is positionable within and detectable by said coil.

9. The surgical stapling system of claim 7, wherein said first stapling assembly comprises a first staple cartridge, and wherein said second stapling assembly comprises a second staple cartridge.

10. The surgical stapling system of claim 7, wherein said first range of firing positions overlaps said second range of firing positions.

11. A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

a firing actuator;

a motor;

a battery configured to supply power to said motor;

a stapling assembly;

a firing member configured to transmit a firing motion to said stapling assembly from said motor;

a shaft configured to support said stapling assembly; and

a firing member sensor configured to sense the position of said firing member within a detectable range of positions, wherein said detectable range of positions comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said firing member is movable through a firing stroke, and wherein said firing stroke comprises a start position within said detectable range of positions and an end position within said detectable range of positions.

12. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 11, wherein a length of said firing stroke is different than a length of said detectable range of positions.

13. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 11, wherein said firing member is movable through a first range of firing positions when a first stapling assembly is assembled to said shaft, and wherein said firing member is movable through a second range of firing positions when a second stapling assembly is assembled to said shaft.

14. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 13, wherein said first stapling assembly is detectable through said first range of firing positions, and wherein said second stapling assembly is detectable through said second range of positions.

15. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 13, wherein said first range of firing positions overlaps said second range of firing positions.

16. The surgical stapling instrument of claim 11, wherein said stapling assembly comprises a staple cartridge.

17. A surgical stapling system, comprising:

a handle;

a motor positioned within said handle;

a firing actuator operably coupled with said motor;

a firing member configured to transmit a firing motion from said motor to a stapling assembly;

a shaft configured to support a stapling assembly;

a firing member sensor system configured to sense the position of said firing member within a detectable range of positions;

a first stapling assembly comprising a first firing length detectable by said firing member sensor system; and

a second stapling assembly comprising a second firing length detectable by said firing member sensor system.

18. The surgical stapling system of claim 17, wherein said first firing length comprises a first starting point within said detectable range of positions, and wherein said second firing length comprises a second starting point within said detectable range of positions.

19. The surgical stapling system of claim 17, wherein said firing member is movable through a first range of firing positions when said first stapling assembly is assembled to said shaft, and wherein said firing member is movable through a second range of firing positions when said second stapling assembly is assembled to said shaft.

20. The surgical stapling system of claim 19, wherein said first stapling assembly is detectable through said first range of firing positions, and wherein said second stapling assembly is detectable through said second range of positions.

21. The surgical stapling system of claim 19, wherein said first range of firing positions overlaps said second range of firing positions.

22. The surgical stapling system of claim 19, wherein said first stapling assembly comprises a first staple cartridge, and wherein said second stapling assembly comprises a second staple cartridge.

23. A surgical stapling system, comprising:

a housing, comprising;

a motor; and

a battery configured to supply power to said motor;

a firing actuator operably coupled with said motor;

a stapling assembly, comprising;

a plurality of staples; and

a distal end;

a shaft configured to support said stapling assembly;

a firing member configured to transmit a firing motion from said motor to said stapling assembly; and

a firing member sensor system configured to detect the position of said firing member within a detectable range of positions relative to said end of said stapling assembly.