Methods for ultrasonic tissue sensing and feedback
AssigneeCovidien LP
InventorCharles D. Allen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ultrasonic surgical instrument is presented including an ultrasonic transmission member having a proximal end and a distal end, and a handle member located at the proximal end of the transmission member. The ultrasonic surgical instrument also includes an end effector assembly located at the distal end of the transmission member. The end effector assembly includes a sensing mechanism for sensing load variations on tissue based on mechanical vibrations detected on one or more portions of the surgical instrument, the mechanical vibrations sensed by a laser interferometer.
Claims20
A surgical instrument, comprising:
- a clamping mechanism configured to clamp tissue and adapted to apply energy to tissue;
- a laser interferometer operably coupled to the clamping mechanism and configured to sense properties of tissue clamped by the clamping mechanism;
- a feedback mechanism coupled to the laser interferometer and configured to supply information relating to the sensed properties of tissue;
- and
- a controller configured receive the information relating to the sensed properties of tissue and to selectively control the application of energy from the clamping mechanism to tissue based on the information relating to the sensed properties of tissue.
A method of applying energy to tissue via a surgical instrument, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning a clamping mechanism adjacent tissue;
- moving the clamping mechanism to clamp tissue;
- applying energy from the clamping mechanism to tissue grasped therebetween;
- using a laser interferometer to sense properties of tissue clamped by the clamping mechanism;
- supplying information related to the sensed properties of tissue to a controller via a feedback mechanism operably coupled to the laser interferometer;
- and
- selectively controlling the supply of energy from the clamping mechanism to tissue based on the information related to the sensed properties of tissue.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.