Surgical instrument with elements to communicate between control unit and end effector
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorsJames R. Giordano, Frederick E. Shelton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft includes a first sensor element. An end effector is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a second sensor element. A handle is connected to the proximate end of the shaft. The handle includes a control unit. The control unit is in communication with the first sensor element and the first sensor element is in wireless communication with the second sensor element.
Claims21
A surgical instrument comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft comprising a first sensor element;
- an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a second sensor element;
- and
- a handle connected to the proximate end of the shaft, the handle comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with the first sensor element and the first sensor element is in wireless communication with the second sensor element.
A surgical instrument comprising:
- a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
- an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a sensor element;
- and
- a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft, the handle comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with the shaft and the shaft is in wireless communication with the sensor element.
A method comprising:
- obtaining a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:
- a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the shaft comprising a first sensor element;
- an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a second sensor element;
- and
- a handle connected to the proximate end of the shaft, the handle comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit is in communication with the first sensor element and the first sensor element is in wireless communication with the second sensor element.
- sterilizing the surgical instrument;
- and
- storing the surgical instrument in a sterile container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.