US 11,896,221 B2Granted

Surgical cartridge system with impedance sensors

AssigneeCilag GmbH Intemational

InventorsJeffrey D. Messerly, David C. Yates, Jason L. Harris, Frederick E. Shelton, IV

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Abstract

A staple cartridge is disclosed that includes a first impedance sensing electrode and a second impedance sensing electrode. The first impedance sensing electrode is addressable to apply first energy to tissue positioned in a first zone. The second impedance sensing electrode is addressable to apply a second energy to tissue positioned in a second zone. A control circuit is configured to determine a thickness of the tissue positioned in the first zone based on the first energy and a thickness of the tissue positioned in the second zone based on the second energy. Advancement of a knife through an elongate slot of the staple cartridge is based on the determined thickness of the tissue in the first zone and the determined thickness of the tissue in the second zone.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A staple cartridge usable with a surgical instrument, the staple cartridge comprising:

a deck;
an elongate slot extending through the deck;
a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck;
staples removably positioned in the plurality of staple cavities;
and
a plurality of impedance sensing electrodes, comprising:
a first impedance sensing electrode positioned in a first zone of the deck, wherein the first impedance sensing electrode is addressable to apply first energy to tissue positioned in the first zone, wherein a control circuit is configured to determine a thickness of the tissue positioned in the first zone based on the first energy;
and
a second impedance sensing electrode positioned in a second zone of the deck, wherein the second zone is distal to the first zone, wherein the second impedance sensing electrode is addressable to apply second energy to tissue positioned in the second zone, wherein the control circuit is configured to determine a thickness of the tissue positioned in the second zone based on the second energy, wherein the second impedance sensing electrode and the first impedance sensing electrode are independently addressable;
and
wherein advancement of a knife through the elongate slot is based on the determined thickness of the tissue in the first zone and the determined thickness of the tissue in the second zone.

8 more elements

A staple cartridge usable with a surgical instrument, the staple cartridge comprising:

a deck;
an elongate slot extending through the deck, wherein the elongate slot defines a first lateral side of the deck and a second lateral side of the deck opposite the first lateral side of the deck;
a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck;
staples removably positioned in the plurality of staple cavities;
and
a first impedance measuring assembly comprising a first impedance measuring electrode and a second impedance measuring electrode positioned in a first zone of the deck, wherein the first impedance measuring assembly is addressable to measure a thickness of tissue positioned in the first zone;
and
a second impedance measuring assembly comprising a third impedance measuring electrode and a fourth impedance measuring electrode positioned in a second zone of the deck, wherein the second zone is distal to the first zone, wherein the second impedance measuring assembly is addressable to measure a thickness of tissue positioned in the second zone;
and
wherein advancement of a knife through the elongate slot is based on the measured thickness of tissue in the first zone and the measured thickness of tissue in the second zone.

7 more elements

A staple cartridge usable with a surgical instrument, the staple cartridge comprising:

a deck comprising a first zone and a second zone, wherein the second zone is distal to the first zone;
an elongate slot extending through the deck, wherein the elongate slot defines a first lateral side of the deck and a second lateral side of the deck opposite the first lateral side of the deck;
a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck;
staples removably positioned in the plurality of staple cavities;
wherein the first zone comprises:
a first portion of the elongate slot;
and
a first impedance sensing electrode configured to sense a thickness of tissue positioned in the first zone, wherein advancement of a knife through the first portion of the elongate slot is based on the sensed thickness of tissue in the first zone;
wherein the second zone comprises:
a second portion of the elongate slot;
and
a second impedance sensing electrode configured to sense a thickness of tissue positioned in the second zone, wherein advancement of the knife through the second portion of the elongate slot is based on the sensed thickness of tissue in the second zone;
and
wherein the second impedance sensing assembly and the first impedance sensing assembly are independently addressable.

11 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 15/930,621Filed 13 May 2020 · continuation
Priority: 28 Jun 2017
Published: US 2020/0397432 A124 Dec 2020
Granted: 13 Feb 2024
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification41 codes

A61B 17/07207
For applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously: the staples being applied sequentially
A61B 17/068
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: surgical staplers , e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps
A61B 17/29
Surgical forceps: forceps for use in minimally invasive surgery
A61B 18/00
Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to

Family

Application15/636,096Parent of this continuation · filed 28 Jun 2017
US 2020/0397432 A1Pre-grant publication · published 24 Dec 2020
US 11,298,128 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2019/0000478 A1Published application
US 11,896,221 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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