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US 9,750,499 B2Granted
Surgical stapling instrument system
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorsRichard L. Leimbach, Shane R. Adams, Mark D. Overmyer, Brett E. Swensgard, Thomas W. Lytle, IV, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Kevin L. Houser
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A surgical system can include an electric motor, a sensor and a microcontroller in signal communication with the electric motor and the sensor. In various instances, the microcontroller can adjust the velocity of a firing element when the sensor detects a change in current drawn by the electric motor that exceeds a threshold amount.
Claims10
A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:
- a first modular component comprising a plurality of tissue thickness sensors;
- a second modular component comprising a jaw defining a channel;
- a fastener cartridge removably positionable in said channel, wherein said fastener cartridge comprises:
- a plurality of fasteners;
- and
- a drivable element configured to translate relative to said channel, wherein said drivable element comprises a magnetic element configured to move along a path opposing said plurality of tissue thickness sensors;
- and
- a microcontroller in signal communication with said plurality of tissue thickness sensors, wherein said plurality of tissue thickness sensors is configured to detect variations to the thickness of tissue along the path of said magnetic element.
5 more elements
A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:
- a first modular component;
- a second modular component comprising a jaw defining a channel, wherein said channel comprises a first electrical contact;
- a fastener cartridge removably positionable in said channel, wherein said fastener cartridge comprises:
- a plurality of fasteners;
- and
- a drivable element configured to translate between an unfired position and a plurality of fired positions relative to said channel, wherein said drivable element comprises a second electrical contact, wherein said second electrical contact is in signal communication with said first electrical contact when said drivable element is in said unfired position, and wherein said second electrical contact is out of signal communication with said first electrical contact when said drivable element is in said plurality of fired positions;
- and
- a microcontroller in signal communication with said first electrical contact.
5 more elements
A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:
- a first modular component;
- a second modular component comprising a pair of opposing jaws moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein said pair of opposing jaws comprises:
- a first jaw comprising a channel;
- and
- a second jaw comprising a magnetic element;
- a fastener cartridge removably positionable in said channel, wherein said fastener cartridge comprises:
- a plurality of fasteners;
- a drivable element configured to translate relative to said channel;
- and
- a magnetoresistive sensor positioned on said drivable element, wherein said magnetoresistive sensor is configured to move along a path;
- and
- a microcontroller in signal communication with said magnetoresistive sensor, wherein said magnetoresistive sensor is configured to detect variations to the thickness of tissue along the path thereof.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.