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US5535937A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Identification device for surgical instrument

Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1996-07-16
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Expires: 2015-06-07
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Abstract

Abstract A device is provided for identifying certain characteristics of an end piece or end effector of a surgical instrument. A preferred embodiment provides a surgical stapling instrument having an electrical circuit contained on the stapling cartridge which is capable of indicating cartridge type and/or status (i.e., with or without staples) when a voltage or current is applied to the circuit.

Inventors

  • 👤 Anthony A. Boiarski
  • 👤 Mark T. Byrne
  • 👤 Warren P. Williamson

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 13:22
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/068; A61B17/072; A61B17/07207; A61B90/00; A61B90/90; A61B90/98; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00026; A61B2017/0003; A61B2017/00115; A61B2017/0046; A61B2017/00477; A61B2017/00482; A61B2017/07214; A61B2017/07285; A61B90/08; A61B2090/0807; A61B2090/0811; A61M; A61M2205/00; A61M2205/60; A61M2205/6018; A61M2205/6063

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim 61 words
An surgical fastening instrument having an end effector comprising: first and second jaw members for engaging and fastening tissue; said first jaw member comprising a removable cartridge containing surgical fastening means; and a cartridge channel, said end effector having an electrical identification device for identifying cartridge type, wherein said identification device comprises an impedance element having a measurable, predetermined electrical characteristic.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 61 words
An surgical fastening instrument having an end effector comprising: first and second jaw members for engaging and fastening tissue; said first jaw member comprising a removable cartridge containing surgical fastening means; and a cartridge channel, said end effector having an electrical identification device for identifying cartridge type, wherein said identification device comprises an impedance element having a measurable, predetermined electrical characteristic.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
The surgical fastening instrument of claim 1 wherein said identification device is contained in said first jaw member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 19 words
The surgical fastening instrument of claim 2 wherein stapling and firing functions are assisted by an electromechanical control means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
The surgical instrument of claim 3 further comprising a lockout means for preventing instrument firing when an inappropriate cartridge condition is indicated by said identification device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
The surgical instrument of claim 4 wherein said lockout means is controlled by internal logic of the control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
The surgical fastening instrument of claim 2 further comprising indicating means for indicating to user an inappropriate cartridge condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 25 words
The surgical fastening instrument of claim 1 wherein said impedance element has a predetermined electrical impedance; and wherein said impedance corresponds to an instrument characteristic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 14 words
The surgical fastening instrument of claim 7 wherein said impedance element comprises a resistor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 14 words
The surgical fastening instrument of claim 7 wherein said impedance element comprises a capacitor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
The surgical fastening instrument of claim 7 wherein said impedance element comprises an inductor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 35 words
The surgical fastening instrument of claim 10 further comprising a fuse in series with said impedance element, said fuse capable of being blown by a current applied to said fuse when said instrument is fired.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 35 words
The surgical fastening instrument of claim 7 further comprising a fuse in series with said impedance element, said fuse capable of being blown by a current applied to said fuse when said instrument is fired.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 18 words
The surgical fastening instrument of claim 7 wherein said impedance element is a fuse having a predetermined resistance.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 31 words
A removable cartridge for a surgical stapling instrument comprising an electrical identification device for identifying cartridge type wherein said identification device comprises an impedance element having a measurable, predetermined electrical characteristic.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 31 words
A removable cartridge for a surgical stapling instrument comprising an electrical identification device for identifying cartridge type wherein said identification device comprises an impedance element having a measurable, predetermined electrical characteristic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 14 words
The cartridge of claim 14 wherein said impedance element has a predetermined electrical impedance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 12 words
The cartridge of claim 15 wherein said impedance element comprises a resistor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 12 words
The cartridge of claim 15 wherein said impedance element comprises a capacitor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 12 words
The cartridge of claim 15 wherein said impedance element comprises a inductor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 33 words
The cartridge of claim 18 further comprising a fuse in series with said impedance element, said fuse capable of being blown by a current applied to said fuse when said instrument is fired.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 33 words
The cartridge of claim 15 further comprising a fuse in series with said impedance element, said fuse capable of being blown by a current applied to said fuse when said instrument is fired.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 12 words
The cartridge of claim 15 wherein said impedance element is a fuse.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 12 words
The cartridge of claim 15 wherein said impedance element comprises a fuse.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-07-16 2000-01-15 2000-07-16 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-07-16 2004-01-15 2004-07-16 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-07-16 2008-01-15 2008-07-16 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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