Devices and techniques for cutting and coagulating tissue

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9504855-B2
Application number	US-201514664233-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 20, 2015
Priority date	Aug 6, 2008
Publication date	Nov 29, 2016
Grant date	Nov 29, 2016

Abstract

Various embodiments are directed to a method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. A first response is triggered when the first set of logic conditions is met. A parameter is determined from the at least one electrical signal.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
generating, by a generator, at least one electrical signal;
monitoring the at least one electrical signal against a first set of logic conditions;
triggering a first response of the generator when the first set of logic conditions is met;
determining, from the at least one electrical signal, a parameter associated with the surgical instrument, the determined parameter being a rate of temperature change of the end effector assessed by calculating a frequency slope; and
comparing the frequency slope against a predetermined threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rate of temperature change is a rate of cooling.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rate of temperature change is a rate of heating.

4. A method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
generating, by a generator, at least one electrical signal;
monitoring the at least one electrical signal against a first set of logic conditions;
triggering a first response of the generator when the first set of logic conditions is met; and
determining, from the at least one electrical signal, a parameter associated with the surgical instrument, wherein the determined parameter is proportional to a frequency slope, and wherein the determined parameter is a rate of temperature change of the end effector.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the rate of temperature change is a rate of cooling.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the rate of temperature change is a rate of heating.

7. A device for driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument, the device comprising:
a generator configured to generate at least one electrical signal; and
a control circuit, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing program instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:
monitoring the at least one electrical signal against a first set of logic conditions;
triggering a first response of the generator when the first set of logic conditions is met;
determining, from the at least one electrical signal, a parameter associated with the surgical instrument, wherein the determined parameter is a rate of temperature change of the end effector assessed by calculating a frequency slope, and
comparing the frequency slope against a predetermined threshold.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the rate of temperature change is a rate of cooling.

9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the rate of temperature change is a rate of heating.

10. A device for driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument, the device comprising:
a generator configured to generate at least one electrical signal; and
a control circuit, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing program instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:
monitoring the at least one electrical signal against a first set of logic conditions;
triggering a first response of the generator when the first set of logic conditions is met; and
determining, from the at least one electrical signal, a parameter associated with the surgical instrument; and

wherein the determined parameter is proportional to a frequency slope, and wherein the determined parameter is a rate of temperature change of the end effector.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the rate of temperature change is a rate of cooling.

12. The device of claim 10 , wherein the rate of temperature change is a rate of heating.

13. A device for driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument, the device comprising:
a generator configured to generate at least one electrical signal; and
a control circuit, comprising:
a processor; and
memory-storing program instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:
monitoring the at least one electrical signal against a first set of logic conditions;
triggering a first response of the generator when the first set of logic conditions is met;
determining, from the at least one electrical signal, a parameter associated with the surgical instrument; and
monitoring impedance of a transducer of the ultrasonic drive system in a dwells region during pulsed activation.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the determined parameter is an impedance of the end effector, and wherein the steps further comprise:
resetting the generator when the impedance crosses a predetermined threshold.

Assignees

• Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
• Ethicon Surgery Llc

Inventors

• Messerly Jeffrey D
• Wiener Eitan T
• Noyes Brian T
• Aldridge Jeffrey L
• Giordano James R
• Beetel Iii Robert J
• Abbott Daniel J
• Stulen Foster B
• Miller Matthew C
• Voegele Aaron C
• Wiley Jeffrey P
• Price Nathan J
• Price Daniel W
• Koch Robert L

Classifications

• A61B2018/00994

  combining two or more different kinds of non-mechanical energy or combining one or more non-mechanical energies with ultrasound · CPC title

• A61B5/053

  Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body · CPC title

• A61B2018/00303

  active, e.g. with a motor creating vibrations · CPC title

• B06B2201/76

  Medical, dental · CPC title

• A61B2017/320095

  with sealing or cauterizing means · CPC title