Systems and methods for controlling a segmented circuit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10117653-B2
Application number	US-201715727332-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 6, 2017
Priority date	Mar 26, 2014
Publication date	Nov 6, 2018
Grant date	Nov 6, 2018

Abstract

A powered surgical instrument is disclosed comprising a motor, a shaft extending from the housing, an end effector extending from the shaft, a power source, a processor, a motor controller, and a control circuit. The control circuit comprises a first segment configured to supply the processor with a first voltage from the power source, and a second segment configured to supply the motor controller with a second voltage from the power source. The second voltage is different than the first voltage. The powered surgical instrument further comprises means for shifting power to the first segment when the second segment experiences a power drop due to high power demand from the motor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A powered surgical instrument, comprising:
a housing comprising a motor;
a shaft extending from said housing;
an end effector extending from said shaft, wherein said end effector is configured to perform at least one end effector function;
a power source;
a processor;
a motor controller configured to control said motor;
a control circuit, comprising:
a first segment configured to supply said processor with a first voltage from said power source;
a second segment configured to supply said motor controller with a second voltage from said power source, wherein said second voltage is different than said first voltage; and
a current sensing segment configured to measure current draw of said motor controller; and

a control circuit safety system configured to provide an additional voltage to said first segment when said second segment experiences a voltage drop due to high current demand from said motor.

2. A powered surgical instrument, comprising:
a housing comprising a motor;
a shaft extending from said housing;
an end effector extending from said shaft, wherein said end effector is configured to perform at least one end effector function;
a power source;
a processor;
a motor controller configured to control said motor;
a control circuit, comprising:
a first segment configured to supply said processor with a first voltage from said power source;
a second segment configured to supply said motor controller with a second voltage from said power source, wherein said second voltage is different than said first voltage; and
a current sensing segment configured to measure current draw of said motor controller; and

a control circuit safety system configured to provide an additional voltage to said first segment when said second segment experiences a voltage sag due to high power demand by said motor.

3. A powered surgical instrument, comprising:
a housing comprising a motor;
a shaft extending from said housing;
an end effector extending from said shaft, wherein said end effector is configured to perform at least one end effector function;
a power source;
a processor;
a motor controller configured to control said motor;
a control circuit, comprising:
a first segment configured to supply said processor with a first voltage from said power source; and
a second segment configured to supply said motor controller with a second voltage from said power source, wherein said second voltage is different than said first voltage; and

means for increasing voltage to said first segment when said second segment experiences a voltage drop due to a high current demand on said motor.

4. A powered surgical instrument, comprising:
a housing comprising a motor;
a shaft extending from said housing;
an end effector extending from said shaft, wherein said end effector is configured to perform at least one end effector function;
a power source;
a processor;
a motor controller configured to control said motor;
a control circuit, comprising:
a first segment configured to supply said processor with a first voltage from said power source; and
a second segment configured to supply said motor controller with a second voltage from said power source, wherein said second voltage is different than said first voltage; and

means for shifting power to said first segment when said second segment experiences a power drop due to high power demand from said motor.

Assignees

• Ethicon Llc

Inventors

• Leimbach Richard L
• Adams Shane R
• Overmyer Mark D
• Swensgard Brett E
• Lytle Iv Thomas W
• Shelton Iv Frederick E
• Houser Kevin L

Classifications

• A61B2017/00199

  with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display · CPC title

• A61B2017/00123

  and automatic shutdown · CPC title

• A61B2017/00132

  Setting operation time of a device (A61B2017/00123 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H02H11/006

  in case of too high or too low voltage · CPC title

• A61B2017/0046

  with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable · CPC title