# US 12,396,724 B2 · Surgical instrument with multiple interface configurations

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- Number: US 12,396,724 B2
- Document ID: US12396724B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/644,295
- Filed: 2024-04-24
- Published: 2024-09-19
- Granted: 2025-08-26
- 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/US12396724B2

## 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 includes a handle assembly, an elongate shaft, an end effector, and control system having a processor and a memory. The handle assembly is movable between a plurality of positions and includes an interface. The control system can cause the processor to toggle between a plurality of interface configurations each associated with one of the positions of the handle assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, the control system can toggle the interface between a primary interface configuration with operational controls and a secondary interface configuration with navigation controls. Additionally, or alternatively, the interface can include a touchscreen configured to provide a firing input signal to the processor. Additionally, or alternatively, a surgical assembly can include the surgical instrument and a remote operating unit with a secondary interface configured to control the end effector.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:
a handle assembly movable between a plurality of positions, said handle assembly comprising an interface;
an elongate shaft;
an end effector extending distally from said elongate shaft;
and a control system, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory coupled to said processor to store program instructions, which when executed from said memory cause said processor to toggle between a plurality of interface configurations, wherein each of said interface configurations is associated with one of said positions.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein said plurality of interface configurations comprise a first interface configuration and a second interface configuration, wherein said plurality of positions comprise a first position and a second position, and wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to adopt said first interface configuration while said handle assembly is in said first position, and adopt said second interface configuration while said handle assembly is in said second position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The surgical instrument of claim 2, further comprising a screen, wherein said first interface configuration comprises a first orientation of said screen, and wherein said second interface configuration comprises a second orientation of said screen which is different from said first orientation.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein said interface includes a first switch and a second switch, said first and second switches are operable by the operator to articulate said end effector relative to said elongate shaft.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein said first switch is operable by the operator to articulate said end effector in a first direction when said processor is generating said first interface configuration, and wherein said first switch is operable by the operator to articulate said end effector in a second direction, different from said first direction, when said processor is generating said second interface configuration.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The surgical instrument of claim 5, wherein said second switch is operable by the operator to articulate said end effector in said second direction when said processor is generating said first interface configuration, and wherein said second switch is operable by the operator to articulate said end effector in said first direction when said processor is generating said second interface configuration.

### Claim 7

A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:
an interface comprising a plurality of operational controls;
an elongate shaft;
an end effector extending distally from said elongate shaft; and
a control system, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory coupled to said processor to store program instructions, which when executed from said memory cause said processor to toggle said interface between a primary interface configuration and a secondary interface configuration, wherein said plurality of operational controls are configured to perform operational functions while said interface is in said primary interface configuration, wherein said plurality of operational controls are configured to perform navigational functions while said interface is in said secondary interface configuration, wherein said navigational functions are related to said operational functions.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein said interface comprises a display.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The surgical instrument of claim 8 further comprising a navigational menu accessible through said display while said interface is in said secondary interface configuration.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein said navigational menu comprises an articulation menu, wherein said plurality of operational controls comprise an articulation control, wherein said articulation control is operable to articulate said end effector relative to said elongate shaft in said primary interface configuration, and wherein said articulation control is operable to access said articulation menu in said secondary interface configuration.

### Claim 11

A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:
an elongate shaft;
an end effector extending distally from said elongate shaft, said end effector comprising a staple cartridge, said staple cartridge including a plurality of staples movable between an unfired configuration and a fired configuration;
a firing mechanism configured to move said plurality of staples to said fired configuration;
an interface comprising a touchscreen, wherein said touchscreen comprises a firing icon; and
a control system, comprising:
a processor; and
a memory coupled to said processor to store program instructions, which when executed from said memory cause said processor to detect a firing input signal generated when the operator selects said firing icon, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to respond to said detection of said firing input signal by activating said firing mechanism to move said plurality of staples to said fired configuration.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The surgical instrument of claim 11 further comprising an articulation mechanism configured to articulate said end effector relative to said elongate shaft, wherein said touch screen comprises an articulation icon, wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to detect an articulation input signal generated when the operator selects said articulation icon, and wherein said program instructions, when executed from said memory, cause said processor to respond to said articulation input signal by activating said articulation mechanism to articulate said end effector.

### Claim 13

A surgical assembly, comprising,
a surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure, said surgical instrument comprising:
a handle assembly comprising a primary interface, said primary interface comprising a plurality of primary controls;
an elongate shaft extending distally from said handle assembly; and
an end effector extending distally from said elongate shaft, wherein said plurality of primary controls are manually operable to actuate said end effector; and
a remote operating unit comprising a secondary interface, said secondary interface comprising a plurality of secondary controls, wherein said plurality of secondary controls are operable to remotely actuate said end effector.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The surgical assembly of claim 13, wherein said plurality of primary controls are actuatable to generate primary control signals, wherein said plurality of secondary controls are actuatable to generate secondary control signals, and wherein said secondary control signals are configured to mimic said primary control signals.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The surgical assembly of claim 14, wherein said surgical instrument comprises a receiver, wherein said remote operating unit comprises a transmitter configured to transmit said secondary control signals to said receiver.

### Claim 16 (depends on 14)

The surgical assembly of claim 14, wherein said surgical instrument comprises a controller, said controller comprising:
a processor configured to receive said primary control signals and said secondary control signals; and
a memory coupled to said processor to store program instructions, which when executed from said memory cause said processor to actuate said end effector in response to at least one of said primary control signals and said secondary control signals.