Covidien LP

Medtronic, Inc.

John M Pantazis

Anthony D Calderoni

Luis A Dussan

David A Nicholas

Russell Pribanic

David A Zeichner

Xingrui Chen

Ethan Collins

John Hryb

Japhet Colon

Rajesh V Iyer

Gordon Orvis Munns

Laura E Mccalla

Steven Plachtyna

Eric Wigforss

A surgical device includes a power source and a motor coupled to the power source. The device also includes a drive shaft having a proximal drive shaft having a proximal end portion coupled to the motor and a distal end portion, a proximal index gear coupled to the distal end portion of the proximal drive shaft, a distal drive shaft having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, a distal index gear coupled to the proximal end portion of the distal drive shaft, a spring member biasedly coupling the proximal index gear and the distal index gear. The device also includes a force measurement sensor configured to measure rotation of the proximal index gear and the distal index gear. The device further includes a controller coupled to the force measurement sensor and configured to determine a force applied to the drive shaft based on a difference between rotation of the proximal index gear and the distal index gear.

Contactless force measurement of motor torque in powered surgical device

An electrochemical cell charging apparatus includes a charger to charge one or more electrochemical cells and a computing apparatus. The computing apparatus includes one or more processors and is operatively coupled to the charger. The computing apparatus is configured to charge an electrochemical cell using the charger, determine one or more indicators of the state of health of the electrochemical cell, and determine the state of health of the electrochemical cell based on the determined one or more indicators.

Electrochemical cell state of health detection

An adapter assembly includes a knob housing, an outer tube, an end effector, an articulation link, and a sensor assembly. The end effector is movable from a first position where the end effector is aligned with a longitudinal axis defined by the outer tube, to a second position where the end effector is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. Longitudinal translation of the articulation link relative to the outer tube causes the end effector to move from its first position to its second position. The sensor assembly includes a first portion disposed in mechanical cooperation with the articulation link, and a second portion disposed at least partially within the outer tube. The sensor assembly is configured to determine an actual amount of articulation of the end effector based on a distance the articulation link move longitudinally relative to the outer tube.

Surgical instruments including sensor assembly

A surgical instrument includes a drive shaft, a motor for rotating the drive shaft, and a motor speed control. The motor speed control includes a first switch and a second switch which are in communication with the motor. The first switch is disposed over and in registration with the second switch. The first switch has an activated state such that the first switch sends a first signal to the motor. The motor rotates the drive shaft in response to the first signal. The second switch sends a second signal to the motor that varies the speed that the motor rotates the drive shaft in response to a force applied to the second switch by the first switch.

Powered surgical instrument with pressure sensitive motor speed control

A loading unit detection system includes an elongate member, a loading unit, a magnet, and a GMR IC. The elongate member defines a receiver. The loading unit includes a connector that is configured to be received within the receiver to releasably couple the loading unit to the elongate member. The magnet is supported on the connector and is configured to translate relative to the elongate member as the connector is received within the receiver. The GMR IC is embedded within the elongate member and is configured to output a differential voltage in response to a magnetic field produced by the magnet of the loading unit. The differential voltage is indicative of the position of the loading unit within the receiver of the elongate member.

Contactless loading unit detection

A surgical instrument for applying fasteners includes a drive motor, a replaceable loading unit having an end-effector assembly, and an adapter configured to releasably couple a replaceable loading unit to the drive motor. The adapter includes a strain gauge having a drive circuit coupled thereto. The strain gauge and the drive circuit are configured to directly measure a driving force in the adapter.

End-effector force measurement drive circuit

A handle assembly of a hand-held surgical instrument includes a handle housing, a rack supported in the handle housing and configured to operably couple to a driven member of a surgical end effector, an idler pinion gear operably coupled to the rack, and an output pinion gear drivingly coupled to a motor. The output pinion gear translates the rack via the idler pinion gear.

Hand-held surgical instruments

An adapter assembly includes an elongated body configured to couple to a handle assembly and a loading unit assembly. The adapter assembly includes an oscillator configured to output a voltage signal. A sensor determines a connection status of the loading unit assembly coupled to the adapter assembly based on a change in the voltage signal. The voltage signal includes a rectified voltage output and an induced voltage output and changes in response to the approximation of a winding disposed within a loading unit assembly to the oscillator.

Surgical adapter assemblies and wireless detection of surgical loading units

A tissue caliper is provided. The tissue caliper includes a housing assembly including a tubular body, an activation assembly operably received within the housing assembly, and a caliper assembly operably connected to the activation assembly. The activation assembly includes a magnetic spring for effecting the opening and closing of the caliper assembly. Also provided is a kit for measuring tissue thickness.

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Stratford, CT, United States of America

John M Pantazis