Systems and methods for controlling a segmented circuit

• US 9,804,618 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2014
• Issued: 10/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Leimbach, Richard L., Adams, Shane R., Overmyer, Mark D., Swensgard, Brett E., Lytle, IV, Thomas W., Shelton, IV, Frederick E., Houser, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Nguyen
• Application Number:
  US14/226,081
• Publication Number:
  US 20150277471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,315 Days
• Field of Search: 323222, 323223, 323224, 323226, 323228, 323265-285
• 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 method for controlling a surgical instrument. The method includes connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage, energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage, and energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, one or more voltage converters configured to provide one or more operating voltages to one or more circuit components.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage;

energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage, wherein a motor is coupled to the voltage boost convertor;

energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, a first regulator configured to receive the set voltage and provide a first operating voltage to a first subset of one or more circuit components, wherein a switch is coupled between the first regulator and the first subset of one or more circuit components, wherein a primary processor is coupled to the switch and the primary processor is configured to open the switch to deactivate the first subset of one or more circuit components to maximize power available for power intense functions requiring additional voltage delivered to the motor;

energizing, by the first regulator, a second regulator configured to provide a second operating voltage to a second subset of the one or more circuit components, wherein the voltage boost convertor, the first regulator, and the second regulator are coupled in a daisy chain configuration;

energizing, by the power assembly, an independent voltage regulator;

generating, by the independent voltage regulator, a constant voltage for a safety processor, wherein the safety processor is configured to provide a shutdown signal when it detects an unsafe condition; and

verifying, by the safety processor, a voltage provided by each of the voltage boost convertor, the first regulator, and the second regulator,

wherein the primary processor and the safety processor are configured to operate a surgical instrument.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising providing, by the power assembly, a voltage of about 12 volts, the set voltage comprises a voltage of about 13 volts, the first operating voltage comprises a voltage of about 5 volts, and the second operating voltage comprises a voltage of about 3.3 volts.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, an organic light emitting diode.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the safety processor verifies the voltage provided by each of the voltage boost convertor, the first regulator and the second regulator by comparing the voltage to a predetermined threshold voltage.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the constant voltage generated by the independent voltage regulator is a voltage of about 3.3V.

6. A surgical instrument control circuit, comprising:

a power assembly configured to provide a source voltage;

a voltage boost convertor coupled to the power assembly, the voltage boost convertor configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage;

a first voltage regulator coupled to and configured to be energized by the voltage boost convertor, wherein the first voltage regulator is configured to receive the set voltage and provide a first operational voltage, wherein the first operational voltage is less than the set voltage;

a second voltage regulator coupled to and configured to be energized by the first voltage regulator, wherein the second voltage regulator is configured to provide a second operational voltage, wherein the second operational voltage is less than the first operational voltage, and wherein the voltage boost convertor, the first voltage regulator, and the second voltage regulator are coupled in a daisy chain configuration;

a safety processor configured to provide a shutdown signal when it detects an unsafe condition, and configured to verify a voltage provided by each of the voltage boost convertor, the first voltage regulator, and the second voltage regulator;

an independent voltage regulator directly coupled to the power assembly and configured to generate a constant voltage for the safety processor;

a switch coupled between the first voltage regulator and a first plurality of circuit components;

a motor coupled to the voltage boost convertor; and

a primary processor coupled to the switch, wherein the primary processor is configured to open the switch to deactivate the first plurality of circuit components to maximize power available for power intense functions requiring additional voltage delivered to the motor, wherein the primary processor and the safety processor are configured to operate a surgical instrument.

7. The control circuit of claim 6, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a voltage of about 12 volts, the set voltage comprises a voltage of about 13volts, the first operating voltage comprises a voltage of about 5 volts, and the second operating voltage comprises a voltage of about 3.3 volts.

8. The control circuit of claim 6, wherein the first voltage regulator is coupled to a first plurality of circuit components and the second voltage regulator is coupled to a second plurality of circuit components.

9. The control circuit of claim 6, wherein the independent voltage regulator is configured to produce a voltage of about 3.3V.