End-stop detection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10973518-B2
Application number	US-201815973773-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 8, 2018
Priority date	Feb 14, 2014
Publication date	Apr 13, 2021
Grant date	Apr 13, 2021

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for operating an electromechanical surgical system. The electromechanical surgical system includes a hand-held surgical instrument including an instrument housing defining a connecting portion for selectively connecting with a shaft assembly. The system also includes an end effector configured to perform at least one function. The shaft assembly is arranged for selectively interconnecting the end effector and the hand-held surgical instrument. The shaft assembly includes a drive member, a flag member configured to translate axially along the drive member, and a sensor disposed about the drive member. The sensor provides a signal indicating that the end effector has reached an end stop when the flag member contacts that sensor.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An end stop detection method for a powered surgical instrument having a hand-held surgical instrument, an end effector and a shaft assembly configured to selectively interconnect the hand-held surgical instrument and the end effector, the shaft assembly including a drive member, a flag member, and a sensor, the method comprising:
controlling a motor within the hand-held surgical instrument to cause the drive member within the shaft assembly to rotate in a first direction thereby causing the flag member within the shaft assembly to translate axially along the drive member toward the sensor within the shaft assembly;
determining when the flag member contacts the sensor; and
stopping the motor when the flag member contacts the sensor to stop an actuation of the end effector.

2. The end stop detection method of claim 1 , further comprising removing the end effector after stopping the motor.

3. The end stop detection method of claim 2 , further comprising determining when a new end effector is needed based on a user input or a predetermined surgical plan.

4. The end stop detection method of claim 3 , further comprising:
identifying a type of end effector to be attached to the shaft assembly as the new end effector; and
controlling the motor within the hand-held surgical instrument to cause the drive member to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction thereby causing the flag member to translate axially along the drive member away from the sensor,
wherein the drive member is rotated for a predetermined amount of time based on the type of end effector to be attached to the shaft assembly.

5. The end stop detection method of claim 3 , further comprising attaching the new end effector to the shaft assembly.

6. An end stop detection method for a powered surgical instrument, the method comprising:
connecting a shaft assembly including a drive member, a flag member, and a sensor to a handheld surgical instrument including a motor such that the motor is operably coupled to the drive member, wherein the shaft assembly is configured to selectively interconnect the handheld surgical instrument and an end effector;
actuating the motor to drive rotation of the drive member, within the shaft assembly, in a first direction, thereby translating the flag member, within the shaft assembly, axially along the drive member;
determining when the flag member contacts the sensor within the shaft assembly; and
stopping the motor when the flag member contacts the sensor to stop an actuation of the end effector.

7. The end stop detection method of claim 6 , further comprising connecting an end effector to the shaft assembly prior to actuating the motor.

8. The end stop detection method of claim 7 , further comprising removing the end effector after stopping the motor.

9. The end stop detection method of claim 8 , further comprising:
identifying a type of a new end effector to be attached to the shaft assembly; and
actuating the motor to drive rotation of the drive member to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby translating the flag member axially along the drive member away from the sensor,
wherein the drive member is rotated a predetermined amount based on the identified type of the new end effector.

10. The end stop detection method according to claim 9 , wherein the predetermined amount is a predetermined amount of time.

11. The end stop detection method of claim 9 , further comprising attaching the new end effector to the shaft assembly.

12. The end stop detection method of claim 6 , further comprising:
identifying a type of an end effector to be attached to the shaft assembly; and
actuating the motor to drive rotation of the drive member to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction, thereby translating the flag member axially along the drive member away from the sensor,
wherein the drive member is rotated a predetermined amount based on the identified type of the end effector.

13. The end stop detection method according to claim 12 , wherein the predetermined amount is a predetermined amount of time.

14. The end stop detection method of claim 12 , further comprising attaching the end effector to the shaft assembly.

Assignees

• Covidien Lp

Inventors

• Calderoni Anthony

Classifications

• A61B2017/2903

  transferring rotary motion · CPC title

• A61B2017/00314

  Separate linked members · CPC title

• A61B2017/00327

  with actuating members moving in opposite directions · CPC title

• A61B2017/00685

  Archimedes screw · CPC title

• A61B17/068 Primary

  Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) · CPC title