# US 2022/0273293 A1 · Staple cartridge comprising a sensor array > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0273293 A1 - Document ID: US20220273293A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/186,364 - Filed: 2021-02-26 - Published: 2022-09-01 - Earliest claimed: 2021-02-26 - Assignees: Ethicon, Inc. - Applicants: Ethicon LLC - Inventors: Frederick E. Shelton, IV; Taylor W. Aronhalt; Shane R. Adams; Jason L. Harris; Patrick L. Creamer; David C. Yates - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220273293A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/0686: {having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling} - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - G01L 5/226: {to manipulators, e.g. the force due to gripping} - H02J 50/20: using microwaves or radio frequency waves - A61B 90/98: using electromagnetic means, e.g. transponders - A61B 2017/00026: {Conductivity or impedance, e.g. of tissue} - A61B 2017/00084: {Temperature} - A61B 2017/00221: {with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves} - A61B 2017/00725: {Calibration or performance testing} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2017/00929: {isolating electrical current} - A61B 2017/07264: {characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material} - 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 2090/037: {with a frangible part, e.g. by reduced diameter} - A61B 2090/038: {during shipment} - A61B 2090/065: {for measuring contact or contact pressure} - H02J 7/825: {Detection of fully charged condition} - H02J 7/865: {Battery or charger load switching, e.g. concurrent charging and load supply (H02J7/50 takes precedence)} - H05K 1/0237: {High frequency adaptations (H05K1/0216 takes precedence)} - H05K 1/165: {incorporating printed inductors} - H05K 1/189: characterised by the use of flexible or folded printed circuits - H05K 2201/10098: Components for radio transmission, e.g. radio frequency identification [RFID] tag, printed or non-printed antennas - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G01L: MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE (weighing G01G) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - H05K: PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said deck comprises a tissue supporting surface configured to support the tissue of a patient and a plurality of projections extending from said tissue supporting surface, wherein each said projection is positioned adjacent a said staple cavity, and wherein said sensors are attached to said projections. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein each said projection comprises a latching feature configured to hold a said sensor in a said recess in a snap-fit manner. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The staple cartridge of claim 2, wherein each said projection is configured to guide a said staple toward an anvil of the surgical stapling instrument during the staple firing stroke. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein said conductive trace is snap-fit to said projections. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The staple cartridge of claim 5, wherein said cartridge body comprises a distal nose end, and wherein said conductive trace is attached to said distal nose end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The staple cartridge of claim 4, wherein said conductive trace is press-fit to said projections. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said trace comprises an elastomeric system including conductive portions and insulative portions. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said trace comprises a matrix including a first sensor region and a second sensor region, wherein said first sensor region and said second sensor region are in communication with a controller of the surgical stapling instrument, and wherein said first sensor region and said second sensor region can be selectively powered by the controller. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The staple cartridge of claim 9, wherein said conductive trace comprises a rubber frame, wherein said first sensor region includes a first array of conductive wires in said rubber frame, wherein said second sensor region includes a second array of conductive wires in said rubber frame, wherein said first array of conductive wires comprises a first density and said second array of conductive wires comprises a second density, and wherein said first density and said second density are different. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said conductive trace comprises a conductive ink on said cartridge body. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said conductive trace is embedded in said cartridge body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The staple cartridge of claim 1, wherein said conductive trace comprises metallic spikes configured to penetrate the tissue of a patient positioned against said staple cartridge. ### Claim 14 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The staple cartridge of claim 14, wherein said conductive trace comprises a first trace portion and a second trace portion, wherein said first trace portion is comprised of a first material having a first conductivity and said second trace portion is comprised of a second material having a second conductivity, and wherein said first conductivity is different than said second conductivity. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The staple cartridge of claim 14, wherein said conductive trace comprises a first trace portion and a second trace portion, wherein said first trace portion comprises a first conductivity and said second trace portion comprises a second conductivity, and wherein said first conductivity is different than said second conductivity. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The staple cartridge of claim 14, wherein said insulative portions comprises a first insulative portion and a second insulative portion, and wherein said first insulative portion is thicker than said second insulative portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The staple cartridge of claim 14, wherein said insulative portions comprises a first insulative portion and a second insulative portion, wherein said first insulative portion is comprised of a first insulative material and said second insulative portion is comprised of a second insulative material, and wherein said first insulative material is different than said second insulative material. ### Claim 19 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.