Control techniques and sub-processor contained within modular shaft with select control processing from handle
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsFrederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, Andrew T. Beckman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular surgical instrument and method for using the same. The method can comprise attaching a surgical instrument attachment to a surgical instrument handle to form a surgical instrument, and powering a master processor in the surgical instrument attachment. The method can also comprise identifying a slave processor in the surgical instrument handle, wherein the slave processor is configured to control a motor in the surgical instrument handle, and affecting operation of the motor based on at least one command from the master processor.
Claims20
A method of configuring a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument comprising:
- a surgical instrument attachment, wherein the surgical instrument attachment comprises a master processor configured to access a control module;
- and
- a surgical instrument handle, wherein the surgical instrument handle comprises a slave processor, the method comprising:
- powering the master processor when the surgical instrument attachment is coupled to the surgical instrument handle;
- identifying, by the master processor, a slave processor in the surgical instrument handle, wherein the slave processor does not include a slave control module configured to control actions of the slave processor;
- and
- initiating a surgical function based on a command selected and issued by the master processor in the surgical instrument attachment to the slave processor in the surgical instrument handle, wherein actions of the slave processor are attributed to the command from the master processor and the control module accessible to the master processor.
A modular surgical system, comprising:
- a handle comprising a slave control system, wherein the slave control system does not include a slave control module configured to control actions of the slave control system;
- and
- an attachment assembly comprising a master control system configured to access a control module, wherein the master control system is in communication with the slave control system, wherein the master control system is configured to be powered when the attachment assembly is coupled to the handle, wherein the master control system is configured to identify the slave control system in the handle, wherein the master control system is configured to issue commands to the slave control system, and wherein actions of the slave control system are attributed to the commands from the master control system and the control module accessible to the master control system.
A method of configuring a surgical instrument, the surgical instrument comprising:
- a surgical instrument attachment;
- and
- a surgical instrument handle, the method comprising:
- powering a master processor in the surgical instrument attachment, wherein the master processor is configured to access a control module;
- identifying a slave processor in the surgical instrument handle, wherein the slave processor does not include a slave control module configured to control actions of the slave processor, and wherein the slave processor is configured to control a motor in the surgical instrument handle;
- and
- affecting operation of the motor based on at least one command from the master processor, wherein actions of the slave processor are attributed to the at least one command from the master processor and the control module accessible to the master processor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.