# US 11,026,761 B2 · Methods of determining a relative state of charge of a battery for a surgical instrument and surgical instruments and computer-readable media implementing the same

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- Number: US 11,026,761 B2
- Document ID: US11026761B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/888,178
- Filed: 2018-02-05
- Published: 2019-08-08
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2018-02-05
- Assignees: Covidien LP
- Applicants: Covidien LP
- Inventors: Scott E. M. Frushour; David J. Van Tol
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11026761B2

## CPC

- A61B 90/08: {Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for}
- A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements
- A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw}
- A61B 34/25: {User interfaces for surgical systems}
- A61B 2017/00221: {with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves}
- A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated}
- A61B 2034/258: {providing specific settings for specific users}
- A61B 2090/0803: {Counting the number of times an instrument is used}
- A61B 2560/028: Arrangements to prevent overuse, e.g. by counting the number of uses
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

Methods and surgical instruments are provided for determining a relative state of charge of a battery used during a surgical procedure. The surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to treat tissue with energy, and a user interface configured to receive an input. A generator is coupled to the end effector, and the battery communicates with the generator. A controller includes a processor and a memory having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to detect an input at the user interface. In response to the detected input at the user interface, a discharge profile is matched to the detected input. The discharge profile corresponds to a discharge curve representing current discharge over time. A relative state of charge is then identified from the discharge curve based on usage of the surgical instrument during a surgical procedure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector configured to treat tissue with ultrasonic energy;
a user interface for receiving an input;
a generator coupled to the end effector;
a battery in communication with the generator; and
a controller coupled to the battery, the controller including:
a processor; and
a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of discharge profiles and having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
detect an input at the user interface,
in response to the detected input at the user interface, match a discharge profile among the plurality of discharge profiles to the detected input, the discharge profile corresponding to a discharge curve representing current discharge over time,
identify a relative state of charge from the discharge curve based on usage of the surgical instrument during a surgical procedure, and
provide the identified relative state of charge as an output.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to determine whether the identified relative state of charge is below a threshold value, and in response to a determination that the relative state of charge is below the threshold value, provide the output.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the received input is a user identifier.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the received input is a surgical procedure identifier.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:
detect a usage of the surgical instrument,
analytically predict a usage pattern based on the detected usage of the surgical instrument,
identify an identifier based on the predicted usage pattern, and
match the identifier to the discharge profile.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:
store data related to usage of the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the memory has instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to:
transmit to a remote storage data related to usage of the surgical instrument during the surgical procedure.