Surgical instrument cartridge sensor assemblies
AssigneeCilag GmbH International
InventorsFrederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris, David C. Yates
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various cartridge assemblies for surgical instruments are provided. Cartridge assemblies can include active sensors for applying stimuli to a tissue clamped by an end effector of the surgical instrument and a circuit configured to determine a tissue type of the tissue according to a change in the tissue parameter detected by the sensor resulting from a stimulus from the active element. Cartridge assemblies can also include physical features and/or stored data that identify the cartridge. Surgical instruments further can be configured to resolve conflicts when the physical features and/or stored data are not consistent with each other in their identification of the cartridge type.
Claims16
A cartridge for a surgical instrument configured to grasp a tissue, the cartridge comprising:
- a circuit, comprising:
- an active element configured to stimulate the tissue;
- and
- a sensor configured to take measurements corresponding to a tissue parameter associated with the tissue;
- wherein the circuit is configured to determine a tissue type of the tissue according to a change in the tissue parameter detected by the sensor resulting from a stimulus from the active element, wherein the active element comprises a heating element and the stimulus comprises thermal energy, and wherein the heating element comprises a heating grid.
A cartridge for a surgical instrument configured to grasp a tissue, the cartridge comprising:
- a circuit, comprising:
- an active element configured to stimulate the tissue;
- and
- a sensor configured to take measurements corresponding to a tissue parameter associated with the tissue;
- wherein the circuit is configured to determine a tissue type of the tissue according to a change in the tissue parameter detected by the sensor resulting from a stimulus from the active element, wherein the active element comprises a pressure-applying element and the stimulus comprises pressure, and wherein the pressure-applying element is configured to deform in shape to stimulate the tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.