Selective activation of electronic components in medical device

• US 9,649,150 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2011
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Houser, Kevin L., Stulen, Foster B.
• Primary Examiner(s): ROANE, AARON F
• Application Number:
  US13/276,707
• Publication Number:
  US 20120116366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,036 Days
• Field of Search: 606 1, 606 41
• 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 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2812 with a single pivotal connection A61B17/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2909 Handles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• 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 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 : with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• 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 2017/00482 : with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0084 : low friction A61B2017/00853 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00876 : magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2925 : Pistol grips
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 : with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/293 : with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 : Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 : for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 : with articulating means for working tip
• 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 2018/00178 : Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0019 : vibrating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 : Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 : Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 : Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0091 : Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 : with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00922 : by switching or controlling the treatment energy directly within the hand-piece
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00952 : rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 : Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/005 : with a lid or cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0065 : Peelable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0067 : Types of closures or fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0076 : having additional locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/008 : Pegs inserted, e.g. forced, into openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3007 : Stackable casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3008 : having multiple compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0808 : for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 : User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 : specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 : Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 : Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 : Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 : Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 : Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 : specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/531 : Electrode connections inside a battery casing
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 1/14 : Balancing the load in a network
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/22 : The load being a portable electronic device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/54 : according to a pre-established time schedule
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 : specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 : Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53913 : Aligner or center

Abstract

A surgical instrument comprises a body, a transmission assembly, and a switch. The body comprises a control unit and an integral power source. The power source is operable to selectively deliver power to the control unit. The transmission assembly extends distally from the body. The transmission assembly also includes an end effector driven by the control unit. The switch is in communication with the control unit and the power source. The transmission assembly is operable to actuate the switch to enable delivery of power from the power source to the control unit.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a body having a distal end portion;

(b) a control unit;

(c) a power source, wherein the power source is configured to selectively deliver power to the control unit;

(d) a shaft assembly extending distally from the distal end portion of the body, wherein the shaft assembly includes a proximal portion insertable into the body; and

(e) a switch in communication with the control unit, wherein the switch is in further communication with the power source, wherein the proximal portion of the shaft assembly is configured to actuate the switch thereagainst, wherein the switch is located in the distal end portion of the body and structurally positioned to be adjacent to the proximal portion of the shaft assembly for actuation thereof, wherein the switch is configured to be actuated by rotational movement of the proximal portion of the shaft assembly against the switch within the body to initiate delivery of power from the power source.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a magnet in communication with the shaft assembly, wherein the magnet is configured to actuate the switch.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a reed switch.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a time out timer operable to determine if the control unit is actively being used.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a secondary switch operable to selectively provide continuous delivery of power to the control unit.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the shaft assembly includes an end effector driven by the power source.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the switch is located at a position in the body such that the switch is structurally positioned to be actuated by movement of the proximal portion of the shaft assembly within the body to initiate delivery of power from the power source to the control unit.

8. An apparatus comprising:

(a) a surgical instrument operable to be powered by a power source, wherein the surgical instrument is operable to perform an electrically powered surgical procedure, wherein the surgical instrument defines a distally facing opening, wherein the surgical instrument comprises a shaft assembly having a proximal end structurally configured to fit within the distally facing opening and be rigidly secured therein, wherein the proximal end of the shaft assembly further comprises a triggering member;

(b) a control unit in communication with the surgical instrument, wherein the control unit is configured to receive power from the power source; and

(c) a switch having a first state and a second state, wherein the switch is structurally positioned to transition from the first state to the second state in response to proximity of the triggering member upon insertion and rigid securement of the proximal end of the shaft assembly in the distally facing opening, wherein the shaft assembly is configured to be rotated within the surgical instrument to actuate the switch.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the triggering member comprises a magnet configured to actuate the switch.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first state comprises an actuated state, wherein the second state comprises an unactuated state.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the switch is configured to initiate delivery of power from the power source to the control unit when in the actuated state, wherein the switch is configured to completely stop the delivery of power from the power source to the control unit when in the unactuated state.

12. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a control unit;

(c) a power source, wherein the power source is configured to selectively deliver power to the control unit;

(d) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly includes a proximal portion insertable into the body; and

(e) a switch in communication with the control unit, wherein the switch is in further communication with the power source, wherein the switch is located at a position in the body such that the switch is structurally positioned to be actuated by movement of the proximal portion of the shaft assembly within the body to initiate delivery of power from the power source,

wherein the shaft assembly is configured to be rotated to actuate the switch.