US 2016/0249922 A1 · AUTOMATED END EFFECTOR COMPONENT RELOADING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A ROBOTIC SYSTEM

Abstract

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes an end effector that comprises a staple channel and an anvil that is movably translatable relative to the staple channel. A tool mounting portion is configured to interface with a robotic system and operably communicate with the end effector. The instrument further includes a first sensor that has an output that represents a first condition of a portion of the robotic system. A second sensor has an output that represents a position of the anvil. A third sensor has an output that represents a position of a reciprocating knife within the end effector. An externally accessible memory device communicates with the first, second and third sensors.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An automated reloading system for replacing a spent surgical end effector component in a manipulatable robotic tool portion of a robotic surgical system with a new surgical end effector component, said automated reloading system comprising:

an extraction system supportable within a work envelope of the manipulatable robotic tool portion of the robotic surgical system, said extraction system configured to automatically dislodge said spent surgical end effector component from a component support portion of said manipulatable robotic tool portion when said manipulatable robotic tool portion moves said spent surgical end effector into extractive engagement therewith;
and
a new component support arrangement supportable within the work envelope, said new component support arrangement supporting at least one said new surgical end effector component in a loading orientation such that when said manipulatable robotic tool portion moves said component support portion into loading engagement with one of said at least one new surgical end effector components, said one of said at least one new surgical end effector components is loaded therein.

A method for automatically replacing a spent end effector component operably coupled to a manipulatable robotic tool portion of a robotic system with a new end effector component, said method comprising:

orienting an automated reloading system within a work envelope of the manipulatable robotic tool portion, the automated reloading system comprising at least one said new end effector oriented in a loading orientation, the automated reloading system defining an unloading position;
activating the robotic system to move the manipulatable robotic tool portion to locate the spent end effector component in the unloading position;
automatically applying an extraction motion to at least one of the spent end effector component and the manipulatable robotic tool portion when in the unloading position to detach the spent end effector component from a corresponding portion of the manipulatable robotic tool portion;
reactivating the robotic system to move the corresponding portion of the manipulatable robotic tool portion into loading engagement with the new end effector component;
and
applying a loading motion to at least one of the new end effector component and the corresponding portion of the manipulatable robotic tool portion to operably couple the new end effector component to the corresponding portion of the manipulatable robotic tool portion.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automated end effector component reloading system for use with a robotic system

Life of this patent

Automated end effector component reloading system for use with a robotic system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20