Power management through segmented circuit and variable voltage protection

• US 9,733,663 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2014
• Issued: 08/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Houser, Kevin L., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Adams, Shane R., Leimbach, Richard L., Overmyer, Mark D., Swensgard, Brett E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jackson, Stephen W
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLARK, CHRISTOPHER JAY
• Application Number:
  US14/226,076
• Publication Number:
  US 20150280424A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,238 Days
• Field of Search: 361 18
• 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 17/07207 the staples being applied sequentially
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00075 Motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00115 with audible or visual output with imaging means A61B90/37, A61B34/20
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00123 and automatic shutdown
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00132 Setting operation time of a device A61B2017/00123 takes precedence
• 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 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• 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 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 2090/081 for contamination or dirt
• 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 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 3/00 : Associations of tools for different working operations with one portable power-drive means; Adapters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B25F 5/00 : Details or components of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operations performed and not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/563 : including two stages of regulation at least one of which is output level responsive, e.g. coarse and fine regulation
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/61 : including two stages of regulation, at least one of which is output level responsive
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 5/00 : Systems for regulating electric variables by detecting deviations in the electric input to the system and thereby controlling a device within the system to obtain a regulated output
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3296 : by lowering the supply or operating voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 11/006 : in case of too high or too low voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/087 : for dc applications
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 3/18 : responsive to reversal of direct current
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/1213 : for DC-DC converters
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 1/0067 : Converter structures employing plural converter units, other than for parallel operation of the units on a single load

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor, and a segmented circuit. The segmented circuit includes a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments includes a power segment configured to provide a segment voltage to the primary processor, the safety processor, and each of the plurality of circuit segments. The power segment is configured to provide variable voltage protection of each segment.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument control circuit, comprising:

a primary processor;

a safety processor; and

a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor, the plurality of circuit segments comprising;

a power segment configured to provide a segment voltage to the primary processor, the safety processor, and each of the plurality of circuit segments, wherein the power segment is configured to provide variable voltage protection of each circuit segment,

wherein the safety processor is configured to receive energy from a power source coupled to the power segment and perform a safety processor self-error check,

wherein the safety processor is further configured to energize the primary processor when no errors are detected during the safety processor self-error check,

wherein when the primary processor is energized the primary processor is configured to perform a primary processor self-error check, and

wherein when no errors are detected during the primary processor self-error check the primary processor sequentially energizes each of the plurality of circuit segments to prevent a large current draw from the plurality of circuit segments being turned on simultaneously in an uncontrolled manner.

2. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the power segment comprises a boost converter configured to provide power stabilization for at least one of the segment voltages.

3. The control circuit of claim 2, wherein the boost converter is configured to provide power stabilization to the primary processor and the safety processor.

4. The control circuit of claim 3, wherein the boost convertor is configured to provide a constant voltage to the primary processor and the safety processor above a predetermined threshold independent of a power draw of the plurality of circuit segments.

5. The control circuit of claim 2, wherein the boost converter comprises at least one of a capacitor, an inductor, a battery, or any combination thereof.

6. The control circuit of claim 5, wherein the boost converter comprises a rechargeable battery.

7. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the power segment comprises an over voltage identification and mitigation circuit.

8. The control circuit of claim 7, wherein the over voltage identification and mitigation circuit is configured to detect a monopolar return current in the surgical instrument and interrupt power from the power segment when the monopolar return current is detected.

9. The control circuit of claim 7, wherein the over voltage identification and mitigation circuit is configured to identify ground floatation of the power segment.

10. The control circuit of claim 7, wherein the over voltage identification and mitigation circuit comprises a metal oxide varistor.

11. The control circuit of claim 7, wherein the over voltage identification and mitigation circuit comprises at least one transient voltage suppression diode.

12. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the power segment is configured to energize each of the plurality of circuit segments sequentially and to error check each circuit segment prior to energizing a sequential circuit segment.

13. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the primary processor is configured to error check each of the plurality of circuit segments.

17. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the power segment comprises a boost converter, a step-down converter, and a linear converter and wherein the boost converter, the step-down converter, and the linear converter are in a daisy chain.

18. The control circuit of claim 17, wherein the boost converter, the step-down converter, and the linear converter are sequentially energized by the safety processor when no errors are detected during the self-error check of the safety processor.

19. The control circuit of claim 18, each of the boost converter, the step-down converter, and the linear converter is configured to perform a self-error check prior to energizing a sequential component.

20. The control circuit of claim 19, the linear converter is configured to energize the primary processor when no errors are detected during the self-error check of the linear converter.

14. A surgical instrument control circuit, comprising:

a primary processor;

a safety processor; and

a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor, the plurality of circuit segments comprising;

a power segment configured to provide a segment voltage to the primary processor, the safety processor, and each of the plurality of circuit segments, the power segment comprising a boost convertor,

wherein the safety processor is configured to receive energy from the boost convertor and perform a safety processor self-error check when a power source is connected to the power segment,

wherein the safety processor is further configured to energize the primary processor when no errors are detected during the safety processor self-error check,

wherein when the primary processor is energized the primary processor is configured to perform a primary processor self-error check, and wherein when no errors are detected during the primary processor self-error check the primary processor is configured to sequentially energize each of the plurality of circuit segments to prevent a large current draw from the plurality of circuit segments being turned on simultaneously in an uncontrolled manner.

15. The control circuit of claim 14, wherein the primary processor is configured to error check each of the plurality of circuit segments.

16. A surgical instrument control circuit, comprising:

a primary processor;

a safety processor; and

a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor, the plurality of circuit segments comprising;

a power segment configured to provide a segment voltage to the primary processor, the safety processor, and each of the plurality of circuit segments, wherein the power segment is configured to provide variable voltage protection of each circuit segment, and wherein the power segment comprises;

a boost converter configured to provide power stabilization for at least one of the segment voltages; and

an over voltage identification and mitigation circuit,

wherein the power segment is configured to energize each of the plurality of circuit segments sequentially,

wherein each circuit segment is error checked prior to energizing a sequential circuit segment,

wherein the safety processor is configured to receive energy from the boost convertor and perform a safety processor self-error check, wherein the safety processor is further configured to energize the primary processor when no errors are detected during the safety processor self-error check,

wherein when the primary processor is energized the primary processor is configured to perform a primary processor self-error check, and

wherein when no errors are detected during the primary processor self-error check the primary processor is configured to sequentially energize each of the plurality of circuit segments through the power segment to prevent a large current draw from the plurality of circuit segments being turned on simultaneously in an uncontrolled manner.