# US 11,298,128 B2 · Surgical system couplable with staple cartridge and radio frequency cartridge, and method of using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,298,128 B2 - Document ID: US11298128B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/636,096 - Filed: 2017-06-28 - Published: 2019-01-03 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2017-06-28 - Assignees: Cilag GmbH International - Applicants: Cilag GmbH International - Inventors: Jeffrey D. Messerly; David C. Yates; Jason L. Harris; Frederick E. Shelton, IV - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11298128B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/29: Forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery - A61B 18/00: Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body (eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00) - A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor} - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements - A61B 2017/00026: {Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue} - A61B 2017/00075: {Motion} - A61B 2017/00084: {Temperature} - A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output} - A61B 2017/00119: {alarm; indicating an abnormal situation} - A61B 2017/00128: {related to intensity or progress of surgical action} - A61B 2017/00199: {with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display} - A61B 2017/00353: {one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping} - 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 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2017/07257: {characterised by its anvil} - A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge} - A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B 2017/2902: {characterized by features of the actuating rod} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2018/00005: {Cooling or heating of the probe or tissue immediately surrounding the probe} - A61B 2018/00172: {Connectors and adapters therefor} - A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B 2018/00642: {with feedback, i.e. closed loop control} - A61B 2018/00791: {Temperature} - A61B 2018/00875: {Resistance or impedance} - A61B 2018/00898: {Alarms or notifications created in response to an abnormal condition} - A61B 2018/00988: {Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter} - A61B 2018/1452: {including means for cutting (A61B2018/146 takes precedence)} - A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws} - A61B 2018/1495: {Electrodes being detachable from a support structure} - A61B 2090/061: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length} - A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A method is disclosed. The method includes delivering staples from a surgical staple cartridge of a surgical instrument to a first tissue during a first procedure; removing the surgical staple cartridge from the surgical instrument; and delivering radio-frequency energy from a radio-frequency cartridge of the surgical instrument to a second tissue during a second procedure. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of using a surgical instrument comprising an end effector configured to receive multiple cartridges, the method comprising: delivering staples from a surgical staple cartridge inserted into the end effector of the surgical instrument to a first tissue during a first procedure; removing the surgical staple cartridge from the surgical instrument end effector; opening a switch dispositioned between a first circuit segment and a second circuit segment to electrically isolate the first circuit segment from the second circuit segment without removing the end effector from the surgical instrument, wherein the first circuit segment is configured to deliver radio-frequency energy to a radio-frequency cartridge; and delivering radio-frequency energy from the radio-frequency cartridge of the surgical instrument to a second tissue during a second procedure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the delivering of the radio-frequency energy from the radio-frequency cartridge occurs before the delivering of the staples from the surgical staple cartridge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second procedure is different from the first procedure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising inserting the surgical staple cartridge into the surgical instrument prior to the delivering of the staples. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, wherein inserting the surgical staple cartridge into the surgical instrument comprises inserting the surgical staple cartridge into an interchangeable tool assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the delivering of the radio-frequency energy, inserting a second surgical staple cartridge into the surgical instrument. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the delivering of the radio-frequency energy: inserting the radio-frequency cartridge into the surgical instrument; and coupling the radio-frequency cartridge to a radio-frequency generator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein inserting the radio-frequency cartridge into the surgical instrument comprises inserting the radio-frequency cartridge into an interchangeable tool assembly. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising removing the radio-frequency cartridge from the surgical instrument. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising inserting a second radio-frequency cartridge into the surgical instrument. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising inserting a second surgical staple cartridge into the surgical instrument. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting a connection of the surgical instrument to a radio-frequency energy generator; and wherein opening the switch to electrically isolate the first circuit segment from the second circuit segment occurs automatically in response to the surgical instrument being connected to the radio-frequency energy generator in response to the detection of the connection of the surgical instrument to the radio-frequency energy generator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second circuit segment is a shaft control segment configured to transmit control signals to and from the end effector, and wherein opening the switch prohibits the shaft control segment from transmitting control signals to and from the end effector. ### Claim 14 A method of utilizing an interchangeable tool assembly, the method comprising: utilizing a staple cartridge coupled to the interchangeable tool assembly to deliver staples to seal a first tissue during a first period of time; replacing the staple cartridge; electrically isolating a first circuit segment configured to deliver radio-frequency energy from a second circuit segment by opening a switch dispositioned between the first circuit segment and the second circuit segment, without decoupling a structural component from the interchangeable tool assembly, wherein the second circuit segment is a shaft control segment configured to transmit control signals to and from an end effector, and wherein opening the switch prohibits the shaft control segment from transmitting control signals to and from the end effector; and utilizing a radio-frequency cartridge coupled to the interchangeable tool assembly to deliver radio-frequency energy to seal a second tissue during a second period of time. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein replacing the staple cartridge comprises: uncoupling the staple cartridge from the interchangeable tool assembly; and coupling the radio-frequency cartridge to the interchangeable tool assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein coupling the radio-frequency cartridge to the interchangeable tool assembly comprises coupling the radio-frequency cartridge to the end effector of the interchangeable tool assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising, prior to the utilizing of the staple cartridge, coupling the staple cartridge to the end effector of the interchangeable tool assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising, prior to utilizing the radio-frequency cartridge: coupling the radio-frequency cartridge to the interchangeable tool assembly; and coupling the interchangeable tool assembly to a radio-frequency generator. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising coupling a second staple cartridge to the interchangeable tool assembly. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising coupling a second radio-frequency cartridge to the interchangeable tool assembly. ### Claim 21 A method of using a surgical instrument comprising an end effector configured to receive multiple cartridges, the method comprising: sealing a first tissue with staples from a removable staple cartridge of the surgical instrument; sterilizing the surgical instrument; electrically isolating a first circuit segment configured to deliver radio-frequency energy from a second circuit segment by opening a switch dispositioned between the first circuit segment and the second circuit segment, without removing the end effector from the surgical instrument; and sealing a second tissue with radio-frequency energy delivered by a removable radio-frequency cartridge of the surgical instrument.