Surgical instrument systems comprising feedback mechanisms
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsFrederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
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Abstract
A surgical instrument system comprising a handle assembly is disclosed. The handle assembly comprises an actuation trigger comprising a curved proximal portion and a curved cylinder surrounding the curved proximal portion of the actuation trigger. The curved cylinder comprises an electroactive polymer. The surgical instrument system comprises an actuation rod which is configured to transmit an actuation force and a sensor system which is configured to detect the magnitude of the actuation force. The electroactive polymer is responsive to the actuation force and provides feedback to a user of the surgical instrument system.
Claims22
A surgical instrument system, comprising:
- a handle assembly, comprising:
- an actuation trigger comprising a curved proximal portion;
- and
- a curved cylinder surrounding said curved proximal portion of said actuation trigger, wherein said curved cylinder comprises at least one electroactive polymer;
- a motor;
- a shaft attached to said handle assembly;
- an end effector attached to a distal end of said shaft;
- an actuation rod configured to transmit an actuation force to said end effector;
- and
- a sensor system configured to detect a magnitude of said actuation force, wherein said at least one electroactive polymer is responsive to said actuation force, and wherein said at least one electroactive polymer provides tactile feedback to a user of said surgical instrument system by applying forces to said actuation trigger.
A surgical instrument system, comprising:
- a handle assembly, comprising:
- an actuation trigger;
- and
- a cylinder surrounding a portion of said actuation trigger, wherein said cylinder comprises at least one electroactive polymer;
- a power source;
- a motor;
- an actuation member configured to transmit an actuation force;
- a sensor system configured to detect a magnitude of said actuation force;
- and
- a control system in communication with said sensor system and said cylinder, wherein said control system is configured to apply a voltage potential from said power source to said cylinder in response to said actuation force, and wherein said cylinder applies a gripping force to said actuation trigger indicative of the magnitude of said actuation force.
A surgical instrument system, comprising:
- a handle assembly, comprising:
- an actuation trigger;
- and
- an electroactive polymer actuator;
- a voltage source;
- an electric motor;
- an actuation member configured to transmit an actuation force;
- a sensor system configured to detect a magnitude of said actuation force;
- and
- a control system in communication with said sensor system and said electroactive polymer actuator, wherein said control system is configured to apply a voltage potential from said voltage source to said electroactive polymer actuator in response to said actuation force, and wherein said electroactive polymer actuator applies a gripping force to said actuation trigger which is proportional to the magnitude of said actuation force.
A surgical instrument system, comprising:
- a handle assembly, comprising:
- an actuation trigger;
- and
- an electroactive polymer actuator;
- a power source;
- an electric motor configured to draw an electrical current from said power source;
- an actuation member operably coupled to said electric motor which is configured to transmit an actuation force;
- a sensor system configured to detect a magnitude of said electrical current;
- and
- a control system in communication with said sensor system and said electroactive polymer actuator, wherein said control system is configured to apply a voltage potential to said electroactive polymer actuator in response to said electrical current, and wherein said electroactive polymer actuator applies a gripping force to said actuation trigger which is proportional to the magnitude of said electrical current.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.