Accessing data stored in a memory of a surgical instrument
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorsFrederick E. Shelton, IV, James R. Giordano, Jeffrey S. Swayze
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process and system are disclosed for downloading sensor data, stored in a memory device of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, to an external or remote computer device. The process may involve storing data from one or more sensors of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument in a memory device of a control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument during a surgical procedure involving the surgical cutting and fastening instrument. Next, after the surgical procedure, a data link between the control unit and the remote computer device is established. Then, the sensor data can be downloaded from the control unit to the remote computer device.
Claims2
A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprising:
- a. an end effector comprising an anvil with staple forming feature thereon, a housing frame generally opposed to the anvil to hold a cartridge, said end effector comprising a knife and a channel in said frame to receive said knife, a replaceable cartridge holding staples that can be urged out the cartridge with a distal actuation of a deploying wedge, and at least one sensor;
- b. an elongated rigid shaft, said shaft having a motor located substantially therein that is operably coupled to an actuation mechanism, said shaft having at least one articulation joint for positioning the cartridge at an angle not parallel to a longitudinal axis of said shaft;
- c. an electrically coupled remote controlled actuation consol;
- d. linear drive motion converter to convert rotary motion from said motor to linear motion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.