Authentication and information system for reusable surgical instruments
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorAnthony Calderoni
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical instrument includes a handle having a handle frame, a microcontroller having at least one program and memory, and a handle interface supported by the handle frame and in electrical communication with the microcontroller. The instrument further includes a loading unit having a body configured for operative coupling to the handle frame of the handle, and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the body and configured to perform a surgical task. A bracket is mounted to the loading unit and includes a microchip having at least one of authentication data and identification data relating to the loading unit.
Claims8
A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a handle including:
- a handle frame;
- a microcontroller having at least one program and memory;
- and a handle interface supported by the handle frame and in electrical communication with the microcontroller;
- and a loading unit including:
- a body configured for operative coupling to the handle frame of the handle, and defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends;
- and an end effector coupled to the distal end of the body, the end effector configured to perform a surgical task;
- and a bracket mounted to the loading unit, the bracket including a microchip at least partially embedded within the bracket, and having at least one of authentication data and identification data relating to the loading unit, the bracket including a bracket interface in communication with the microchip, the bracket interface configured for electrical coupling with the handle interface of the handle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.