# US 11,114,195 B2 · Surgical instrument with a tissue marking assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,114,195 B2 - Document ID: US11114195B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/024,141 - Filed: 2018-06-29 - Published: 2019-07-04 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-28 - Assignees: Cilag GmbH International - Applicants: Ethicon LLC - Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV; David C. Yates; Kevin L. Houser - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11114195B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/320016: {Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes (A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence)} - A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw} - A61B 18/1442: {Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps} - A61B 34/30: Surgical robots - A61B 34/37: Leader-follower robots (A61B34/35 takes precedence) - A61B 90/39: {Markers, e.g. radio-opaque or breast lesions markers} - G16H 20/40: relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture - G16H 40/20: for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities, e.g. managing hospital staff or surgery rooms - G16H 40/40: for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades - G16H 40/60: for the operation of medical equipment or devices - H04L 41/0816: the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events - H04L 67/10: in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network (software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46) - H04L 67/1097: for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS] - H04L 67/12: specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks - H04L 67/52: specially adapted for the location of the user terminal - H04L 69/28: Timers or timing mechanisms used in protocols - H04W 4/33: for indoor environments, e.g. buildings - H04W 4/38: for collecting sensor information - H04W 84/20: Leader-follower arrangements - A61B 1/00009: {of image signals during a use of endoscope} - A61B 17/00: Surgical instruments, devices or methods (A61B18/00 takes precedence; dental tools A61C3/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/20) - A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)} - A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor} - A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 34/74: {Manipulators with manual electric input means} - A61B 90/30: Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure - A61B 90/361: {Image-producing devices, e.g. surgical cameras} - A61B 90/37: {Surgical systems with images on a monitor during operation} - A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments} - A61B 2017/00022: {Sensing or detecting at the treatment site} - A61B 2017/00026: {Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue} - A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil} - A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/32007: {with suction or vacuum means} - A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B 2018/00642: {with feedback, i.e. closed loop control} - A61B 2018/00994: {combining two or more different kinds of non-mechanical energy or combining one or more non-mechanical energies with ultrasound} - A61B 2018/1253: {monopolar} - A61B 2018/126: {bipolar} - A61B 2018/1273: {including multiple generators in one device} - A61B 2034/2055: {Optical tracking systems} - A61B 2034/2063: {Acoustic tracking systems, e.g. using ultrasound} - A61B 2034/302: {specifically adapted for manipulations within body cavities, e.g. within abdominal or thoracic cavities} - A61B 2090/061: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length} - A61B 2090/064: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension} - A61B 2090/0803: {Counting the number of times an instrument is used} - A61B 2090/3908: {Soft tissue, e.g. breast tissue} - A61B 2090/3937: {Visible markers} - A61B 2090/3941: {Photoluminescent markers} - A61B 2090/395: {with marking agent for marking skin or other tissue} - A61B 2090/397: {electromagnetic other than visible, e.g. microwave} - A61B 2090/3987: {Applicators for implanting markers} - A61B 2218/002: Irrigation - A61B 2218/006: for smoke evacuation - A61B 2218/007: Aspiration - A61B 2218/008: for smoke evacuation - G16H 40/63: for local operation - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A surgical instrument includes an end effector and a marking assembly. The end effector includes a first jaw; a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween; and a tissue-treatment mechanism configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw. The marking assembly configured to apply a distinct marking to the tissue unique to each tissue treatment application, wherein the distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical instrument, comprising: an end effector, comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween; and a tissue-treatment mechanism configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw; and a marking assembly comprising individually manipulatable markers configured to apply a predetermined distinct marking to the tissue unique to each tissue treatment application, wherein the predetermined distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the end effector includes a cutting member configured to transect tissue, and wherein the marking assembly is configured to create the predetermined distinct marking adjacent a transection line defined in the tissue by the cutting member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distinct marking is visible only in the presence of a light source outside of the visible spectrum. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distinct marking is configured to fluoresce under an applied light source outside of the visible spectrum. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distinct marking is detectable through stimulation by at least one of a light source, a radiation source, and an illumination source. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tissue-treatment mechanism comprises a staple cartridge configured to deploy staples into the tissue in the tissue treatment application. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tissue-treatment mechanism comprises an electrode configured to deliver therapeutic energy to the tissue in the tissue treatment application. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tissue-treatment mechanism comprises a transection member movable to transect the tissue in the tissue treatment application. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein application of the tissue treatment by the tissue-treatment mechanism triggers application of the predetermined distinct marking to the tissue by the marking assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the marking assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart applicators comprising the individually manipulatable markers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the plurality of spaced apart applicators comprises: a proximal applicator; and a distal applicator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the end effector comprises a longitudinal slot, and wherein the plurality of spaced apart applicators comprises: a first applicator on a first side of the longitudinal slot; and a second applicator on a second side of the longitudinal slot opposite the first side. ### Claim 13 A surgical instrument, comprising: an end effector, comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween; and a tissue-treatment mechanism configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw; a marking assembly; and a control circuit configured to: receive sensor signals indicative of application of the tissue treatment to the tissue; and manipulate the marking assembly to apply a predetermined distinct marking to the tissue unique to the tissue treatment application, wherein the predetermined distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein the end effector includes a cutting member configured to transect tissue, and wherein the marking assembly is configured to create the predetermined distinct marking adjacent a transection line defined in the tissue by the cutting member. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein the predetermined distinct marking is visible only in the presence of a light source outside of the visible spectrum. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein the predetermined distinct marking is configured to fluoresce under an applied light source outside of the visible spectrum. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein the predetermined distinct marking is detectable through stimulation by at least one of a light source, a radiation source, and an illumination source. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein application of the tissue treatment by the tissue-treatment mechanism triggers application of the distinct marking to the tissue by the marking assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The surgical instrument of claim 13, wherein the marking assembly comprises a plurality of spaced apart applicators. ### Claim 20 A surgical instrument, comprising: an end effector, comprising: a first jaw; a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween; and a tissue-treatment mechanism configured to apply a tissue treatment to tissue grasped between the first jaw and the second jaw; and a marker; and means for adjusting the marker to apply a predetermined distinct marking to the tissue unique to each tissue treatment application, wherein the predetermined distinct marking distinguishes the tissue treatment application from other tissue treatment applications.