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US 2022/0273293 A1Published application
Staple cartridge comprising a sensor array
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsFrederick E. Shelton, IV, Taylor W. Aronhalt, Shane R. Adams, Jason L. Harris, Patrick L. Creamer, David C. Yates
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A staple cartridge comprising a sensor array is disclosed. In various instances, the sensor array comprises a conductive trace embedded in a cartridge body of the staple cartridge.
Claims19
A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument, said staple cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body, comprising:
- a deck;
- staple cavities defined in said deck;
- a longitudinal slot defined in said deck configured to receive a tissue cutting member of the surgical stapling instrument;
- recesses defined in said deck;
- and
- a trough defined in said deck connecting said recesses;
- sensors positioned in said recesses, wherein said sensors are attached to said cartridge body;
- a conductive trace electrically connecting said sensors, wherein said conductive trace is positioned in said trough;
- and
- staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein said staples are ejected from said staple cavities during a staple firing stroke produced by the surgical stapling instrument.
8 more elements
A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument, said staple cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body, comprising:
- a deck;
- staple cavities defined in said deck;
- a longitudinal slot defined in said deck configured to receive a tissue cutting member of the surgical stapling instrument;
- recesses defined in said deck;
- and
- a trough defined in said deck connecting said recesses;
- a sensing array, comprising:
- a conductive trace positioned in said trough;
- and
- insulative portions covering portions of said conductive trace, wherein said insulative portions control the magnetic field profile produced by said conductive trace when an electrical current flows through said conductive trace;
- and
- staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein said staples are ejected from said staple cavities during a staple firing stroke produced by the surgical stapling instrument.
10 more elements
A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapling instrument, said staple cartridge comprising:
- a cartridge body, comprising:
- a deck;
- staple cavities defined in said deck;
- a longitudinal slot defined in said deck configured to receive a tissue cutting member of the surgical stapling instrument;
- recesses defined in said deck;
- and
- a trough defined in said deck connecting said recesses;
- a sensing array, comprising:
- a conductive trace positioned in said trough;
- and
- an insulative cover over said conductive trace, wherein said insulative cover controls the field profile produced by said conductive trace when an electrical current flows through said conductive trace;
- and
- staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein said staples are ejected from said staple cavities during a staple firing stroke produced by the surgical stapling instrument.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.