Patent•
Surgical instrument with stress sensor
24 May 2013-
TL;DR: In this article, an end effector, an energy component, a control module, and a directional force sensor assembly associated with the energy component and control module are presented, where the control module can be configured to operate at a first energy setting and at a second energy setting in response to a second detected force.
Abstract: An apparatus includes an end effector, an energy component, a control module, and a directional force sensor assembly associated with the energy component and control module. The directional force assembly can include a piezoelectric disc, a piezoresistive element, an accelerometer, and/or a Hall Effect sensor. The end effector of the apparatus can include ultrasonic blade, an RF electrode. or a staple driving assembly. In some versions, the energy component includes an ultrasonic transducer. The control module may be configured to operate the energy component at a first energy setting in response to a first detected force and at a second energy setting in response to a second detected force. The apparatus may also include an activation feature to be operated by a user. In some versions the piezoelectric disc may include a plurality of segments and may be configured to induce movement in at least part of the energy component.
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Patent•
14 Jun 2016
TL;DR: Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation as discussed by the authors, which is the basis for the representation presented in this paper.
Abstract: Newness and distinctiveness is claimed in the features of ornamentation as shown inside the broken line circle in the accompanying representation.
1,500 citations
Patent•
21 Apr 2011TL;DR: In this paper, a surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel.
Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a channel configured to support a staple cartridge and, in addition, an anvil pivotable between open and closed positions relative to the channel. The surgical instrument can further comprise a cutting member configured to incise tissue positioned captured between the staple cartridge and the anvil and, in addition, means for stopping the cutting member prior to a distal end datum, wherein the distal end datum can be defined by the distal-most staple cavity in the staple cartridge. In such embodiments, the incision within the tissue may not extend beyond the portion of the tissue that has been stapled.
1,498 citations
Patent•
20 Sep 2016TL;DR: In this article, an E-beam firing bar is used to drive staples on each side of the cut in a surgical severing and stapling instrument, which is suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil.
Abstract: A surgical severing and stapling instrument, suitable for laparoscopic and endoscopic clinical procedures, clamps tissue within an end effector of an elongate channel pivotally opposed by an anvil. An E-beam firing bar moves distally through the clamped end effector to sever tissue and to drive staples on each side of the cut. The E-beam firing bar affirmatively spaces the anvil from the elongate channel to assure properly formed closed staples, especially when an amount of tissue is clamped that is inadequate to space the end effector. In particular, an upper pin of the firing bar longitudinally moves through an anvil slot and a channel slot is captured between a lower cap and a middle pin of the firing bar to assure a minimum spacing. Forming the E-beam from a thickened distal portion and a thinned proximal strip enhances manufacturability and facilitates use in such articulating surgical instruments.
1,384 citations
Patent•
28 Feb 2012TL;DR: In this article, an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument is equipped with a handle connected to a proximate end of a conductive shaft, such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor.
Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.
953 citations
Patent•
24 May 2016TL;DR: In this paper, a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, a cutting member having a cutting surface, and a driver operably engaged with the cutting member to move the member relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge is presented.
Abstract: The present invention includes a surgical stapler having a staple cartridge, an anvil, a cutting member having a cutting surface, and a driver operably engaged with the cutting member to move the cutting member relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, one of the anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot which is configured to receive at least a portion of the cutting member and guide the cutting member as it is moved relative to the anvil and the staple cartridge. In these embodiments, the slot can also be configured to receive a portion of the driver operably engaged with cutting member and support the driver when it moves the cutting member. In at least one embodiment, the slot is defined by at least one radius of curvature.
932 citations
References
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Patent•
18 Apr 2002TL;DR: In this paper, an elongate shaft with an ultrasound probe, an end effector at the distal end of the shaft, and a base at the proximal end of a shaft is presented.
Abstract: A surgical instrument for enhancing robotic surgery generally includes an elongate shaft with an ultrasound probe, an end effector at the distal end of the shaft, and a base at the proximal end of the shaft. The end effector includes an ultrasound probe tip and the surgical instrument is generally configured for convenient positioning of the probe tip within a surgical site by a robotic surgical system. Ultrasound energy delivered by the probe tip may be used to cut, cauterize, or achieve various other desired effects on tissue at a surgical site. In various embodiments, the end effector also includes a gripper, for gripping tissue in cooperation with the ultrasound probe tip. The base is generally configured to removably couple the surgical instrument to a robotic surgical system and to transmit forces from the surgical system to the end effector, through the elongate shaft. A method for enhancing robotic surgery generally includes coupling the surgical instrument to a robotic surgical system, positioning the probe tip in contact with tissue at a surgical site, and delivering ultrasound energy to the tissue.
1,438 citations
Patent•
19 Feb 2002
TL;DR: An electrosurgical instrument and technique for creating thermal seal or welds transected margins of engaged tissue is described in this paper. But the method is not suitable for lung resection.
Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument and technique for creating thermal seal or welds transected margins of engaged tissue. The working end provides very elongate jaws particularly suited for resecting tissue, such as in a lung resection. The jaw assembly carries a bi-polar electrode arrangement that provides for Rf current flow to targeted tissue described as a subfascial-to-fascial (or medial-to-surface) bi-polar approach. The working end of the device carries an openable and closable jaw assembly with paired first and second jaws for engaging tissue. The paired jaws have an axial channel for receiving a sliding (blade) member for transecting the captured tissue. The paired jaws carry electrode surfaces having a common polarity so that Rf current will not flow d between the jaws which engage the surface or fascial tissue layers. Further, the transecting member had flange-type surface portions that extend over a substantial longitudinal length of the jaws to maintain very high compression on captured tissue even when the jaws have a very small cross section and hence may be somewhat flexible.
1,189 citations
Patent•
30 Jan 2007TL;DR: In this paper, a surgical cutting and fastening instrument is described, which includes an end effector, a main drive shaft assembly, and a handle, which is connected to the gear drive train such that the loading force applied to the firing trigger is related to the loading forces experienced by the cutting instrument.
Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector, a main drive shaft assembly, and a handle. The handle comprises a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, a motor for actuating the gear drive train, and a firing trigger. Retraction of the firing trigger actuates the motor. Further, the firing trigger is connected to the gear drive train such that the loading force applied to the firing trigger is related to the loading force experienced by the cutting instrument in the end effector.
1,148 citations
Patent•
11 Dec 1996TL;DR: In this paper, an electrosurgical instrument primarily intended for so-called "underwater" electrosurgery has a radio frequency generator, a handpiece, and an electrode assembly detachably mounted to the handpiece.
Abstract: An electrosurgical instrument primarily intended for so-called "underwater" electrosurgery has a radio frequency generator, a handpiece, and an electrode assembly detachably mounted to the handpiece. Different electrode assemblies may be selected according to the surgical procedure to be performed. To adapt the generator characteristics for improved electrosurgical performance, each electrode assembly contains an identification element such as a capacitor of unique value which is sensed by the generator. Inside the generator, the sensed capacitor value causes the selection of operating parameters, preferably a nominal generator output power and a peak voltage limit, to suit the selected electrode assembly.
1,147 citations
Patent•
01 Oct 2010TL;DR: A control circuit of a surgical device is described in this paper, which includes a first circuit portion coupled to at least one switch operable between an open state and a closed state.
Abstract: A control circuit of a surgical device is disclosed. The control circuit includes a first circuit portion coupled to at least one switch operable between an open state and a closed state. The first circuit portion communicates with a surgical generator over a conductor pair to receive a control signal to determine a state of the at least one switch.
1,056 citations