US20050131390A1 — Surgical instruments including mems devices

Claim 1

Independent Claim 50 words

1 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an end effector configured and adapted to engage tissue; and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the surgical instrument for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter adjacent the end effector.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 50 words

1 . A surgical instrument, comprising: an end effector configured and adapted to engage tissue; and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the surgical instrument for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter adjacent the end effector.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 24 words

2 . The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one MEMS device is operatively connected to the end effector.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 70 words

3 . The surgical instrument according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one MEMS device is selected from the group consisting of a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, a displacement sensor, an optical sensor, a biosensor, a temperature sensor, a torque sensor, an accelerometer, a flow sensor, an electrical sensor and a magnetic sensor for at least one of sensing, measuring and controlling the associated condition and/or parameter.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 57 words

4 . The surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein the surgical instrument is a surgical stapler and the end effector includes: a staple cartridge assembly; and an anvil operatively associated with the staple cartridge, the staple cartridge and the anvil being movably connected to one another to bring one into juxtaposition relative to the other.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 54 words

5 . The surgical instrument according to claim 4 , wherein each of the staple cartridge and the anvil define tissue contacting surfaces and the at least one MEMS device is operatively connected to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 51 words

6 . The surgical instrument according to claim 5 , wherein there is a plurality of MEMS devices connected to the surgical instrument, the MEMS devices being configured and adapted to measure distance between the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 45 words

7 . The surgical instrument according to claim 6 , wherein the MEMS devices are configured and adapted to measure the amount of pressure applied to tissue clamped between the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 43 words

8 . The surgical instrument according to claim 4 , wherein the MEMS devices are configured and adapted to measure the thickness of the tissue clamped between the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 22 words

9 . The surgical instrument according to claim 4 , wherein the end effector is configured and adapted to perform an anastomosis.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 27 words

10 . The surgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein the surgical instrument is a linear stapler that is adapted to perform an endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 26 words

11 . The surgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein the surgical instrument is an annular stapler that is adapted to perform an end-to-end anastomosis.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 34 words

12 . The surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein the end effector is a jaw mechanism including a pair of jaw members pivotably coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 28 words

13 . The surgical instrument according to claim 12 , wherein at least one MEMS device is provided on at least one of the pair of jaw members.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 38 words

14 . The surgical instrument according to claim 13 , wherein MEMS devices are provided at least at one of a proximal end, a distal end and along a length of each of the pair of jaw members.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 23 words

15 . The surgical instrument according to claim 14 , wherein the jaw mechanism is configured and adapted to perform an electrosurgical function.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 27 words

16 . The surgical instrument according to claim 15 , wherein the jaw mechanism is configured and adapted to deliver electrosurgical energy to a target surgical site.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 37 words

17 . The surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein the surgical instrument is operatively couplable to a robotic system, wherein the end effector is configured and adapted to be remotely operated by the robotic system.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 60 words

18 . The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein there is included a loading unit having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being selectively removably connected to the surgical instrument, the end effector is operatively connected to and part of the loading unit, and the loading unit includes the at least one MEMS device.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 48 words

19 . The surgical instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the end effector is a surgical stapler including: a staple cartridge assembly; and an anvil operatively associated with the staple cartridge assembly, the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil being movable and juxstaposable relative to one another.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 57 words

20 . The surgical instrument according to claim 19 , wherein each of the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil define tissue contacting surfaces and wherein at least one MEMS device is operatively connected to the at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 39 words

21 . The surgical instrument according to claim 20 , wherein the MEMS devices are configured and adapted to measure distance between the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 55 words

22 . The surgical instrument according to claim 20 , wherein the MEMS devices are configured and adapted to measure at least one of the amount of pressure applied to tissue and the thickness of tissue clamped between the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 52 words

23 . The surgical instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the loading unit has an elongate shaft having a distal end, the end effector being operatively connected to a distal end of an elongate shaft and the staple cartridge and the anvil are oriented transversely with respect to the elongate shaft.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 22 words

24 . The surgical instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the end effector is configured and adapted to perform an anastomosis.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 34 words

25 . The surgical instrument according to claim 18 , wherein the end effector is a jaw mechanism including a pair of jaw members pivotably coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 29 words

26 . The surgical instrument according to claim 25 , wherein the at least one MEMS device is provided on at least one of the pair of jaw members.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 38 words

27 . The surgical instrument according to claim 28 , wherein MEMS devices are provided at least at one of a proximal end, a distal end and along a length of each of the pair of jaw members.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 23 words

28 . The surgical instrument according to claim 27 , wherein the jaw mechanism is configured and adapted to perform an electrosurgical function.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 27 words

29 . The surgical instrument according to claim 28 , wherein the jaw mechanism is configured and adapted to deliver electrosurgical energy to the target surgical site.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 33 words

30 . The surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of MEMS devices is electrically connected to a control box via a lead wire extending from the housing.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 31 words

31 . The surgical instrument according to claim 3 , further comprising: a control box electrically connected to each of the plurality of MEMS devices via at least one wire lead.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 110 words

32 . A robotic system for performing surgical tasks, comprising: a frame; a robotic arm connected to the frame and movable relative to the frame; an actuation assembly operatively associated with the robotic arm for controlling operation and movement of the robotic arm; a loading unit including an elongate shaft operatively connected to the robotic arm, and an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft and configured to engage tissue; and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the loading unit for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter adjacent the end effector.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 110 words

32 . A robotic system for performing surgical tasks, comprising: a frame; a robotic arm connected to the frame and movable relative to the frame; an actuation assembly operatively associated with the robotic arm for controlling operation and movement of the robotic arm; a loading unit including an elongate shaft operatively connected to the robotic arm, and an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft and configured to engage tissue; and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the loading unit for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter adjacent the end effector.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 69 words

33 . The robotic system of claim 32 , wherein the at least one MEMS device is selected from the group consisting of a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, a displacement sensor, an optical sensor, a biosensor, a temperature sensor, a torque sensor, an accelerometer, a flow sensor, an electrical sensor and a magnetic sensor, for at least one of sensing, measuring and controlling an associated condition and/or parameter.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 29 words

34 . The robotic system of claim 32 , wherein the end effector includes a pair of jaw members movably coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 25 words

35 . The robotic system of claim 34 , wherein a plurality of MEMS devices are provided on each of the pair of jaw members.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 40 words

36 . The robotic system of claim 34 , wherein a plurality of MEMS devices are provided at least at one of a proximal end, a distal end and along a length of each of the pair of jaw members.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 22 words

37 . The robotic system of claim 32 , wherein the DLU is connected to the robotic arm via a bayonet-type connection.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 22 words

38 . The robotic system of claim 32 , wherein the end effector is configured and adapted to perform an electrosurgical function.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 26 words

39 . The robotic system of claim 32 , wherein the end effector is configured and adapted to deliver electrosurgical energy to the target surgical site.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 39 words

40 . The robotic system of claim 32 , further comprising a controller including a processor and a receiver for receiving electrical signals transmitted from the actuation assembly and for controlling the operation and movement of the loading unit.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 35 words

41 . The robotic system of claim 32 , wherein the end effector is selected from a group consisting of a fastener applier, a surgical stapler, a vessel clip applier and a vascular suturing assembly.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 61 words

42 . The robotic system of claim 32 , wherein the end effector is a surgical stapler including a staple cartridge assembly and an anvil operatively associated with the staple cartridge assembly and in juxtaposition relative to the staple cartridge assembly, and wherein at least one MEMS device is operatively connected to each of the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 39 words

43 . The robotic system of claim 42 , wherein the staple cartridge assembly defines a tissue contacting surface and wherein at least one MEMS device is operatively connected to the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge assembly.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 36 words

44 . The robotic system of claim 43 , wherein the anvil defines a tissue contacting surface and wherein at least one MEMS device is operatively connected to the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 38 words

45 . The robotic system of claim 44 , wherein the MEMS devices are configured and adapted to measure distance between the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 45 words

46 . The robotic system of claim 44 , wherein the MEMS devices are configured and adapted to measure the amount of pressure applied to tissue clamped between the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 26 words

47 . The robotic system of claim 44 , wherein the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil are transversely oriented with respect to the elongate shaft.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 28 words

48 . The robotic system of claim 44 , wherein the staple cartridge assembly and the anvil are pivotably connected to the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 71 words

49 . The robotic system of claim 32 , wherein the end effector is a vessel clip applier, the vessel clip applier comprising: a body portion having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end is operatively connectable to the robotic arm; and a jaw assembly operatively connected to the distal end of the body portion, wherein the jaw assembly includes a first and a second jaw portion.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 28 words

50 . The robotic system of claim 49 , wherein each of the first and the second jaw portions includes at least one MEMS device operatively connected thereto.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 85 words

51 . The robotic system of claim 32 , wherein the end effector is a vascular suturing assembly, the vascular suturing assembly comprising: an elongate body having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal end in operatively connectable to the robotic arm; and a pair of needle receiving jaws pivotably mounted to the distal end of the elongate body portion, the pair of needle receiving jaws being configured and adapted to pass a surgical needle and associated length of suture material therebetween.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 27 words

52 . The robotic system of claim 51 , further including at least one MEMS component operatively connected to each of the pair of needle receiving jaws.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 87 words

53 . A loading unit for use with a surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an end effector operably connected to the distal end of the tubular shaft; a connector for connecting the proximal end of the tubular shaft to a surgical instrument; and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the loading unit for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter adjacent the end effector.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 87 words

53 . A loading unit for use with a surgical instrument, comprising: an elongate tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; an end effector operably connected to the distal end of the tubular shaft; a connector for connecting the proximal end of the tubular shaft to a surgical instrument; and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the loading unit for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter adjacent the end effector.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 24 words

54 . The loading unit according to claim 53 , wherein the at least one MEMS device is operatively connected to the end effector.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 72 words

55 . The loading unit according to claim 54 , wherein the at least one of the MEMS device is selected from the group consisting of a pressure sensor, a strain sensor, a displacement sensor, an optical sensor, a biosensor, a temperature sensor, a torque sensor, an accelerometer, a flow sensor, an electrical sensor and a magnetic sensor for at least one of sensing, measuring and controlling an associated condition and/or parameter.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 57 words

56 . The loading unit according to claim 55 , wherein the surgical instrument is a surgical stapler and the end effector includes: a staple cartridge assembly; and an anvil operatively associated with the staple cartridge, the staple cartridge and the anvil being movably connected to one another to bring one into juxtaposition relative to the other.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 54 words

57 . The loading unit according to claim 54 , wherein each of the staple cartridge and the anvil define tissue contacting surfaces and the at least one MEMS device is operatively connected to at least one of the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 51 words

58 . The loading unit according to claim 57 , wherein there is a plurality of MEMS devices connected to the surgical instrument, the MEMS devices being configured and adapted to measure distance between the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge assembly and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 45 words

59 . The loading unit according to claim 58 , wherein the MEMS devices are configured and adapted to measure the amount of pressure applied to tissue clamped between the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 43 words

60 . The loading unit according to claim 57 , wherein the MEMS devices are configured and adapted to measure the thickness of the tissue clamped between the tissue contacting surface of the staple cartridge and the tissue contacting surface of the anvil.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 22 words

61 . The loading unit according to claim 56 , wherein the end effector is configured and adapted to perform an anastomosis.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 27 words

62 . The loading unit according to claim 61 , wherein the surgical instrument is a linear stapler that is adapted to perform an endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 26 words

63 . The loading unit according to claim 62 , wherein the surgical instrument is an annular stapler that is adapted to perform an end-to-end anastomosis.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 34 words

64 . The loading unit according to claim 55 , wherein the end effector is a jaw mechanism including a pair of jaw members pivotably coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 28 words

65 . The loading unit according to claim 64 , wherein at least one MEMS device is provided on at least one of the pair of jaw members.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 38 words

66 . The loading unit according to claim 75 , wherein MEMS devices are provided at least at one of a proximal end, a distal end and along a length of each of the pair of jaw members.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 22 words

67 . The loading unit according to claim 53 , wherein at least one MEMS device is a temperature sensing MEMS device.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 74 words

68 . The loading unit according to claim 67 , wherein the temperature sensing MEMS device is positioned on and/or encapsulated in thermally conductive tips or elements, wherein the conductive tips are semi-rigid wires made of shape memory metal for a particular application, wherein the conductive tips are extendable out from the loading unit and into the tissue adjoining the loading unit in order to monitor temperature of the tissue adjoining the loading unit.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 169 words

69 . A surgical instrument for use with a loading unit that is operatively couplable to the surgical instrument and has an end effector with a pair of juxtaposable jaws for performing a surgical function, the end effector having at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected thereto for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter adjacent the end effector, the surgical instrument comprising: a housing; an elongate shaft that extends from the housing and has a distal end operatively couplable to a loading unit of the above type; an approximation mechanism for approximating the pair of jaws; an actuation mechanism for activating the jaws to perform the surgical function; and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the surgical instrument for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter adjacent the end effector and for cooperative operation with the at least one MEMS of the end effector.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 169 words

69 . A surgical instrument for use with a loading unit that is operatively couplable to the surgical instrument and has an end effector with a pair of juxtaposable jaws for performing a surgical function, the end effector having at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected thereto for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter adjacent the end effector, the surgical instrument comprising: a housing; an elongate shaft that extends from the housing and has a distal end operatively couplable to a loading unit of the above type; an approximation mechanism for approximating the pair of jaws; an actuation mechanism for activating the jaws to perform the surgical function; and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device operatively connected to the surgical instrument for at least one of sensing a condition, measuring a parameter and controlling the condition and/or parameter adjacent the end effector and for cooperative operation with the at least one MEMS of the end effector.

Surgical instruments including mems devices

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