Surgical instrument with multiple program responses during a firing motion

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017296177-A1
Application number	US-201615130566-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 15, 2016
Priority date	Apr 15, 2016
Publication date	Oct 19, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge, an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel, a knife mechanically coupled to the staple cartridge, an electric motor and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor. The control circuit is configured to change a firing motion a first way based on a first value of a projected peak firing force and a second way based on a second value of the projected peak firing force value.

First claim

1 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge; an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel; a closure tube mechanically coupled to the anvil; an electric motor; and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to:
detect a first event;
trigger a first response to the first event; and
trigger a second repose to the first event;
wherein the control circuit is further configured to determine which of the first and second responses to use based on a measured parameter as the first event is approached.

2 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the measured parameter is velocity, load, motor current, or anvil pressure measured as the first event is approached.

3 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge; an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel; a closure tube mechanically coupled to the anvil; an electric motor; and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to change a closing motion of the surgical instrument at least two different ways based on the closing force.

4 . The surgical instrument of claim 3 , wherein one of the at least two ways comprises changing the closing motion to oscillate the closure tube.

5 . The surgical instrument of claim 3 , wherein one of the at least two ways comprises changing the closing motion to vibrate the anvil.

6 . The medical instrument of claim 3 , wherein the control circuit comprises:
at least one sensor configured to sense the closing force; and a controller electrically coupled to the at least one sensor and the electric motor.

7 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge; an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel; a closure tube mechanically coupled to the anvil; an electric motor; and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to automatically change a closing motion: a first way based on a first value of a projected peak closing force; and a second way based on a second value of the projected peak closing force.

8 . The surgical instrument of claim 7 , wherein the control circuit comprises:
at least one sensor configured to sense the closing force; and a controller electrically coupled to the at least one sensor and the electric motor.

9 . The surgical instrument of claim 7 , wherein the first way comprises changing the closing motion to at least one of:
stop a closing of the anvil; increase a speed of the closure tube; decrease the speed of the closure tube; change a velocity of the closing tube; and oscillate the closing tube.

10 . The surgical instrument of claim 9 , wherein the second way comprises changing the closing motion to at least one of:
stop a closing of the anvil; increase a speed of the closure tube; decrease the speed of the closure tube; change a velocity of the closing tube; and oscillate the closing tube.

11 . The surgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the first way is different from the second way.

12 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge; an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel; a knife mechanically coupled to the staple cartridge; an electric motor; and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to change a firing motion of the surgical instrument at least two different ways based on the firing force.

13 . The medical instrument of claim 12 , wherein the control circuit comprises:
at least one sensor configured to sense the firing force; and a controller electrically coupled to the at least one sensor and the electric motor.

14 . The surgical instrument of claim 12 , wherein the first way comprises changing the firing motion to at least one of:
stop an advancement of the knife; increase a velocity of the knife; decrease a velocity of the knife; and oscillate the knife.

15 . The surgical instrument of claim 14 , wherein the second way comprises changing the firing motion to at least one of:
stop an advancement of the knife; increase a velocity of the knife; decrease a velocity of the knife; and oscillate the knife.

16 . The surgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the first way is different from the second way.

17 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge; an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel; a knife mechanically coupled to the staple cartridge; an electric motor; and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit is configured to change a firing motion: a first way based on a first value of a projected peak firing force; and a second way based on a second value of the projected peak firing force value.

18 . The surgical instrument of claim 17 , wherein the control circuit comprises:
a first sensor configured to sense the firing force; a second sensor configured to sense a position of the knife; and a controller electrically coupled to the first and second sensors and the electric motor.

19 . The surgical instrument of claim 18 , wherein:
the first sensor comprises a strain gauge; and the second sensor comprises a Hall-effect sensor.

20 . The surgical instrument of claim 17 , wherein changing the firing motion comprises controlling at least one of the following:
a direction of rotation of the electric motor; and a speed of the electric motor.

21 . The surgical instrument of claim 17 , wherein the first way comprises changing the firing motion to at least one of:
stop an advancement of the knife; increase a velocity of the knife;
decrease a velocity of the knife; and
oscillate the knife.

22 . The surgical instrument of claim 21 , wherein the second way comprises changing the firing motion to at least one of:
stop an advancement of the knife; increase a velocity of the knife; decrease a velocity of the knife; and oscillate the knife.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Llc

Inventors

• Harris Jason L
• Shelton Iv Frederick E
• Overmyer Mark D

Classifications

• A61B2017/00026

  Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue · CPC title

• A61B2017/00725

  Calibration or performance testing · CPC title

• A61B2090/0808

  for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus · CPC title

• A61B2017/00039

  Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect · CPC title

• A61B2017/00398

  using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids · CPC title