US 2026/0096829 A1 · SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH METHODS FOR OVER-CLAMPING PREVENTION

Abstract

A surgical system that prevents over-clamping includes a surgical instrument with a shaft assembly, an end effector, and a closure assembly. The end effector includes first and second jaws movably secured relative to each other so that the first and second jaws are configured to selectively move from an open to closed configuration. The closure assembly is operatively connected to the end effector and comprises a drive member operatively connected to the end effector and configured to selectively move in an open or closed direction to respectively direct one of the first and second jaws from the open to closed configuration or from the closed to open configuration, a sensor portion configured to measure a sensed value of a characteristic of the drive member, and a controller configured to receive the sensed value evaluate the received sensed value, and adjust the movement of the drive member based on the evaluation.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A surgical system, comprising:

(a) a surgical instrument, comprising:
(i) a shaft assembly;
(ii) an end effector including a first jaw and a second jaw movably secured relative to each other such that the first and second jaws are configured to selectively move from an open configuration to a closed configuration;
and
(iii) a closure assembly operatively connected to the end effector and comprising:
(A) a drive member operatively connected to the end effector and configured to selectively move in an open direction or a closed direction to respectively direct one of:
(I) the first and second jaws from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and
(II) the first and second jaws from the closed configuration to the open configuration,
(B) a sensor portion configured to measure a sensed value of a characteristic of the drive member, and
(C) a controller configured to:
(I) receive the sensed value,
(II) evaluate the received sensed value, and
(III) adjust the movement of the drive member based on the evaluation.

10 more elements

A method for reducing a closure force imposed on a tissue by a surgical instrument, comprising:

(a) measuring a sensed value of a characteristic of a drive member operatively connected to an end effector of the surgical instrument, the drive member configured to selectively move in an open direction or a closed direction to respectively direct one of:
(i) a first jaw and a second jaw of the end effector from an open configuration to a closed configuration, the first and second jaws movably secured relative to each other such that the first and second jaws are configured to selectively move from the open configuration to the closed configuration, and
(ii) the first and second jaws from the closed configuration to the open configuration,
(b) evaluating the sensed value;
and
(c) adjusting the movement of the drive member based on the evaluation.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Surgical instrument with methods for over-clamping prevention

Life of this patent

Surgical instrument with methods for over-clamping prevention

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20