Control systems for surgical instruments

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017367700-A1
Application number	US-201715480882-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 6, 2017
Priority date	Mar 14, 2013
Publication date	Dec 28, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Surgical instruments and control systems therefor are disclosed. A surgical instrument can comprise: a power circuit comprising a power source and a switch, a microcontroller coupled to the power circuit, a handle comprising an attachment portion, and a control circuit in signal communication with the microcontroller. The attachment portion can comprise a first electrical contact in signal communication with the microcontroller. The control circuit can comprise a sensor configured to detect an attachment state of the attachment portion. The control circuit can communicate the detected attachment state to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller can ignore signals from the first electrical contact when the control circuit communicates a detached state. The attachment portion can comprise a second electrical contact coupled to a second power circuit, and the second power circuit can decouple the second electrical contact and the second power source when the sensor detects the detached state.

First claim

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a stapling assembly; a handle assembly, comprising:
a power circuit, comprising:
a power source; and
a switch;

a microcontroller coupled to said power circuit; and
an attachment portion comprising an electrical contact in signal communication with said microcontroller; and
a control circuit in signal communication with said microcontroller, wherein said control circuit comprises an attachment sensor configured to detect an attachment state of said attachment portion and said stapling assembly, and wherein said control circuit is configured to communicate the attachment state to said microcontroller; wherein said attachment sensor is configured to detect a detached attachment state unless said stapling assembly is attached to said attachment portion.

22 . The surgical instrument of claim 21 , further comprising a latch configured to attach said stapling assembly to said attachment portion.

23 . The surgical instrument of claim 22 , wherein said latch is operable to switch said attachment sensor between an attached attachment state and the detached attachment state.

24 . The surgical instrument of claim 21 , wherein said electrical contact comprises a first electrical contact, and wherein said stapling assembly further comprises a second electrical contact.

25 . The surgical instrument of claim 24 , wherein said second electrical contact is in communication with said first electrical contact when said attachment sensor detects an attached attachment state.

26 . The surgical instrument of claim 24 , wherein there is no electrical connection between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact when said attachment sensor detects the detached attachment state.

27 . The surgical instrument of claim 21 , further comprising a replaceable staple cartridge.

28 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a stapling assembly; and a handle assembly, comprising:
a power circuit comprising a power source;
a controller coupled to said power circuit;
an attachment portion comprising an electrical contact in signal communication with said controller; and
a control circuit in signal communication with said controller, wherein said control circuit comprises an attachment sensor configured to detect an attachment state of said attachment portion and said stapling assembly, wherein said attachment sensor is configured to detect a detached attachment state unless said stapling assembly is attached to said attachment portion, and wherein said control circuit is configured to communicate the attachment state to said controller.

29 . The surgical instrument of claim 28 , further comprising a latch configured to attach said stapling assembly to said attachment portion.

30 . The surgical instrument of claim 29 , wherein said latch is operable to switch said attachment sensor between an attached attachment state and the detached attachment state.

31 . The surgical instrument of claim 28 , wherein said electrical contact comprises a first electrical contact, and wherein said stapling assembly further comprises a second electrical contact.

32 . The surgical instrument of claim 31 , wherein said second electrical contact is in communication with said first electrical contact when said attachment sensor detects an attached attachment state.

33 . The surgical instrument of claim 31 , wherein there is no electrical connection between said first electrical contact and said second electrical contact when said attachment sensor detects the detached attachment state.

34 . The surgical instrument of claim 28 , further comprising a replaceable staple cartridge.

Assignees

• Ethicon Llc

Inventors

• Leimbach Richard L
• Overmyer Mark D
• Adams Shane R

Classifications

• A61B2090/0808

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

• A61B17/07207 Primary

  the staples being applied sequentially · CPC title

• A61B2017/00734

  battery operated · CPC title

• A61B2017/2927

  the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft · CPC title

• A61B2017/0046

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