# US 12,023,023 B2 · Interface systems for use with surgical instruments

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- Number: US 12,023,023 B2
- Document ID: US12023023B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/590,525
- Filed: 2022-02-01
- Published: 2022-10-13
- Granted: 2024-07-02
- Earliest claimed: 2014-03-26
- Assignees: Cilag GmbH International
- Applicants: Cilag GmbH International
- Inventors: Mark D. Overmyer; Brett E. Swensgard; Shane R. Adams; Thomas W. Lytle, IV; Richard L Leimbach; Frederick E. Shelton, IV; Kevin L. Houser
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12023023B2

## CPC

- 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 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 34/25: {User interfaces for surgical systems}
- A61B 90/98: using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
- G05B 19/05: Programmable logic controllers, e.g. simulating logic interconnections of signals according to ladder diagrams or function charts
- G16H 10/60: for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
- G16H 40/63: for local operation
- G16H 40/67: for remote operation
- A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments}
- A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output}
- A61B 2017/00123: {and automatic shutdown}
- A61B 2017/00199: {with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display}
- A61B 2017/00212: {using remote controls}
- A61B 2017/00221: {with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves}
- A61B 2017/00225: {Systems for controlling multiple different instruments, e.g. microsurgical systems}
- 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 2017/00482: {with a code}
- A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2034/2048: {using an accelerometer or inertia sensor}
- A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure}
- A61B 2090/0805: {automatically, e.g. by means of magnetic, optical or photoelectric detectors}
- A61B 2090/0807: {Indication means}
- A61B 2090/0808: {for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus}
- A61B 2090/0811: {for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument}
- G05B 2219/14018: IN, plc and comparator, error detector, backup, standby plc, switch, update OUT
- G16H 20/40: relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
- Y10T 29/49826: Assembling or joining
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure includes an elongate shaft, an end effector extending from the elongate shaft, and a control system. The end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position. The control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to store program instructions. The processor can alert the operator when the end effector reaches the home state position from the articulated position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical system, comprising:
a surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
a first jaw;
a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position; and
a firing member movable between a proximal position and a distal position;
a drive member configured to drive the firing member between the proximal position and the distal position;
an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
a nozzle operably coupled to the elongate shaft, where the elongate shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis based on rotation of the nozzle;
an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably relative to the elongate shaft about the articulation joint;
an articulation control system configured to articulate the end effector about the articulation joint;
a closure system configured to move the second jaw toward the closed position; and
a motor operably coupled to the drive member, wherein the motor is configured to drive the firing member between the proximal position and the distal position; and
a handle assembly, comprising:
a closure trigger operably coupled to the closure system, wherein the second jaw is configured to move toward the closed position based on actuation of the closure trigger;
an articulation actuator operably coupled to the articulation control system, wherein the end effector is configured to articulate about the articulation joint based on actuation of the articulation actuator; and
a firing actuator operably coupled to the motor, wherein the firing member is configured to move toward the distal position based on actuation of the firing actuator;
a remote operating unit communicatively coupleable to the surgical instrument, wherein the remote operating unit comprises:
a display; and
an input interface; and
a locking circuit configurable between:
a locked state, wherein the locking circuit is configured to prevent actuation of the surgical instrument; and
an unlocked state, wherein the locking circuit permits actuation of the surgical instrument.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument comprises an antenna, and wherein the remote operating unit comprises a radio frequency device in signal communication with the antenna.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a sensor operably coupled to the remote operating unit, and wherein the display is configured to display data sensed by the sensor.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the remote operating unit comprises a proximity sensor configured to detect a position of the surgical instrument relative to the remote operating unit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The surgical system of claim 4, wherein the remote operating unit is configured to display a notification on the display based on the proximity sensor sensing the surgical instrument being brought within a predefined range of the remote operating unit.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The surgical system of claim 5, wherein the remote operating unit is configured to operably couple to the surgical instrument, based on a user interfacing with the notification via the input interface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The surgical system of claim 6, wherein the surgical instrument is configured to provide haptic feedback, based on the surgical instrument being operably coupled to the remote operating unit.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the input interface comprises an actuator, and wherein the second jaw is configured to move toward the closed position based on actuation of the actuator.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the input interface comprises an actuator, and wherein the end effector is configured to articulate about the articulation joint based on actuation of the actuator.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The surgical system of claim 1, wherein the input interface comprises an actuator, and wherein the firing member is configured to move toward the distal position based on actuation of the actuator.

### Claim 11

A surgical system, comprising:
a surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
a first jaw; and
a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position;
a firing member movable between a proximal position and a distal position;
a drive member configured to drive the firing member between the proximal position and the distal position;
an elongate shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
a nozzle operably coupled to the elongate shaft, where the elongate shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis based on rotation of the nozzle;
an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably relative to the elongate shaft about the articulation joint;
an articulation control system configured to articulate the end effector about the articulation joint;
a closure system configured to move the second jaw toward the closed position; and
a motor operably coupled to the drive member, wherein the motor is configured to drive the firing member between the proximal position and the distal position; and
a housing assembly, comprising:
a closure trigger operably coupled to the closure system, wherein the second jaw is configured to move toward the closed position based on actuation of the closure trigger;
an articulation actuator operably coupled to the articulation control system, wherein the end effector is configured to articulate about the articulation joint based on actuation of the articulation actuator; and
a firing actuator operably coupled to the motor, wherein the firing member is configured to move toward the distal position based on actuation of the firing actuator;
a heads up display communicatively coupleable to the surgical instrument, wherein the heads up display comprises:
a display; and
an input interface; and
a locking circuit configurable between:
a locked state, wherein the locking circuit is configured to prevent actuation of the surgical instrument; and
an unlocked state, wherein the locking circuit permits actuation of the surgical instrument.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The surgical system of claim 11, wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples removably stored therein, and wherein the staples are deployable from the staple cartridge based on the firing member moving toward the distal position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The surgical system of claim 11, wherein the heads up display is configured to transmit an unlocking signal to the surgical instrument, based on a user providing an access code to the input interface, and wherein the unlocking signal is configured to transition the locking circuit to the unlocked state.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The surgical system of claim 13, wherein the surgical instrument comprises an antenna, wherein the heads up display comprises a radio frequency device in signal communication with the antenna, and wherein the heads up display is configured to transmit the unlocking signal to the surgical instrument via the antenna and the radio frequency device.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The surgical system of claim 11, wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a sensor operably coupled to the heads up display, and wherein the display is configured to display data sensed by the sensor.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The surgical system of claim 11, wherein the heads up display comprises a proximity sensor configured to detect a position of the surgical instrument relative to the heads up display.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The surgical system of claim 16, wherein the heads up display is configured to display a notification on the display based on the proximity sensor sensing the surgical instrument being brought within a predefined range of the heads up display.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The surgical system of claim 17, wherein the heads up display is configured to operably couple to the surgical instrument, based on a user interfacing with the notification via the input interface.

### Claim 19

A surgical system, comprising:
a surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
a first jaw;
a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position; and
a fastener cartridge comprising a plurality of fasteners removably stored therein;
a firing member movable between a start position and an end position;
a shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
a nozzle operably coupled to the shaft, where the shaft is rotatable about the longitudinal axis based on rotation of the nozzle;
an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatably relative to the shaft about the articulation joint;
an articulation control system configured to articulate the end effector about the articulation joint;
a closure system configured to move the second jaw toward the closed position; and
a motorized system operably coupled to the flexible drive bar, wherein the motorized system is configured to drive the firing member between the start position and the end position; and
a housing assembly, comprising:
a closure trigger operably coupled to the closure system, wherein the second jaw is configured to move toward the closed position based on actuation of the closure trigger;
an articulation actuator operably coupled to the articulation control system, wherein the end effector is configured to articulate about the articulation joint based on actuation of the articulation actuator; and
a firing trigger operably coupled to the motorized system, wherein the firing member is configured to move toward the end position based on actuation of the firing trigger;
a heads up display in signal communication with the surgical instrument, wherein the heads up display comprises:
a display; and
an input interface; and
a locking circuit configurable between:
a locked state, wherein the locking circuit is configured to prevent actuation of the surgical instrument; and
an unlocked state, wherein the locking circuit permits actuation of the surgical instrument.