# US 12,213,670 B2 · Surgical instrument comprising a flex circuit including a sensor system

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- Number: US 12,213,670 B2
- Document ID: US12213670B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/237,634
- Filed: 2023-08-24
- Published: 2023-12-14
- Granted: 2025-02-04
- Earliest claimed: 2019-12-30
- Assignees: Cilag GmbH International
- Applicants: Cilag GmbH International
- Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV; Sudhir B. Patel; Shane R. Adams; Nicholas J. Ross; Jason L Harris
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12213670B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously
- A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially}
- A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw}
- A61B 34/30: Surgical robots
- 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 17/115: Staplers for performing anastomosis, e.g. in a single operation
- A61B 34/71: {Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms}
- A61B 90/98: using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders
- A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments}
- A61B 2017/00039: {Electric or electromagnetic phenomena other than conductivity, e.g. capacity, inductivity, Hall effect}
- A61B 2017/00075: {Motion}
- A61B 2017/00119: {alarm; indicating an abnormal situation}
- A61B 2017/00221: {with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves}
- A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids}
- A61B 2017/00455: {Orientation indicators, e.g. recess on the handle}
- A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable}
- A61B 2017/00725: {Calibration or performance testing}
- A61B 2017/00876: {magnetic}
- A61B 2017/07214: {Stapler heads}
- 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 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft}
- A61B 2017/2929: {with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft}
- A61B 2090/061: {for measuring dimensions, e.g. length}
- A61B 2090/064: {for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension}
- A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure}
- A61B 2090/0803: {Counting the number of times an instrument is used}
- 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}
- A61B 2090/0812: {indicating loosening or shifting of parts of an instrument, signaling maladjustment of parts}
- A61B 2090/0814: {Preventing re-use}
- G16H 20/40: relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
- G16H 40/40: for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades
- 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

## Abstract

A surgical instrument including a flex circuit comprising a sensor system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical instrument, comprising:
a housing;
a shaft extending from said housing;
an end effector extending from said shaft;
a drive system; and
a flexible circuit assembly extending within said shaft, wherein said flexible circuit assembly comprises a power transmission backbone and a signal communication backbone, and wherein said signal communication backbone is separated from said power transmission backbone.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said communication backbone comprises communication circuits in communication with a multiplexer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said flexible circuit assembly comprises:
a first region;
a second region, wherein said first region and said second region are different;
a first circuit in communication with said first region;
a second circuit in communication with said second region, and
a voltage control circuit configured to limit the voltage to said first region while providing a different voltage to said second region.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein said first region comprises a first sensor in communication with said first circuit, and wherein said second region comprises a second sensor in communication with said second circuit.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein said first sensor is configured to detect a first component of said drive system and said second sensor is configured to detect a second component of said drive system.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein the voltage provided to said first region is 6 volts and the voltage provided to said second region is 12 volts.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said flexible circuit assembly comprises:
a first region;
a second region, wherein said first region and said second region are different;
a first circuit in communication with said first region;
a second circuit in communication with said second region, and
a controller configured to limit the quantity of data transmitted via said first circuit during a first operating mode and to increase the quantity of data transmitted via said first circuit during a second operating mode.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein said first region comprises a first sensor in communication with said first circuit, and wherein said second region comprises a second sensor in communication with said second circuit.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein said first sensor is configured to detect a first component of said drive system and said second sensor is configured to detect a second component of said drive system.