| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20100076474 | MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT - A motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument that comprises an end effector, a shaft connected to the end effector, and handle connected to the shaft. The end effector may comprise a cutting instrument that, when actuated, longitudinally traverses the end effector to cut tissue clamped in the end effector. The handle may comprise an electric motor for actuating the cutting instrument and a motor control circuit for controlling the motor. The motor control circuit may comprise a power source connected to the motor for electrically powering the motor and a current control circuit, connected to the power source, for varying the current supplied to the motor from the power source. The current control circuit may vary the current supplied to the motor, and consequently, the output torque supplied by the motor, such that the motor has at least (i) a first, low power operational mode for a first portion of a cutting stroke cycle of the cutting instrument, and (ii) a second, high power operational mode for a second portion the cutting stroke cycle of the cutting instrument. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100076475 | MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20110006103 | MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL FASTENER DEVICE WITH CUTTING MEMBER REVERSING MECHANISM - A surgical fastener apparatus including a handle, an elongated shaft having a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending therefrom. An end effector comprising a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position, and a cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, the cartridge attached to the end effector. An electrically powered actuator for deploying the surgical fasteners. An electrically activated reverse mechanism for moving the elongated member from a distal most position within the end effector to a proximal position, the electrically activated reverse mechanism moves the elongated member proximally after the elongated member has moved to the distal most position by moving the trigger to the open position, and wherein after activation of the reverse mechanism proximal movement of the elongated member can be stopped by returning the trigger to its closed position. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110024479 | Driven Surgical Stapler Improvements - A surgical fastener apparatus including a handle, an elongated shaft having a proximal end attached to the handle and a distal end extending therefrom. An end effector comprising a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position, and a cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners, the cartridge attached to the end effector. An electrically powered actuator for deploying the surgical fasteners. An electrically activated reverse mechanism for moving the elongated member from a distal most position within the end effector to a proximal position, the electrically activated reverse mechanism moves the elongated member proximally after the elongated member has moved to the distal most position by moving the trigger to the open position, and wherein after activation of the reverse mechanism proximal movement of the elongated member can be stopped by returning the trigger to its closed position. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110125177 | MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT - A surgical cutting and fastening instrument that is motorized. The instrument comprises in one embodiment a charge accumulator device, separate from a battery, that provides additional power to the motor under certain conditions. In addition, the motor may comprise multiple windings. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110155781 | SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT THAT ANALYZES TISSUE THICKNESS - A surgical instrument with a tissue-clamping end effector, where actuation of the instrument is locked out when the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector is not within a specified thickness range. The end effector may comprise a tissue thickness module that senses the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector. The surgical instrument also comprises a control circuit in communication with the tissue thickness module. The control circuit prevents actuation of a working portion of the end effector when the thickness of the tissue clamped in the end effector is not within the specified thickness range. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110155785 | MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY - A motor-driven surgical instrument having a control assembly for controlling a switch of the instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a motor control circuit, a drive member, and a slider. The drive member comprises a first shoulder at a first position and a second shoulder at a second position. A first portion of the slider interfaces the drive member such that the slider is moveable in a direction of movement of the drive member when either the first shoulder or the second shoulder of the drive member engages the first portion of the slider. A second portion of the slider actuates a switch of the motor control circuit when the drive member moves the slider to a first position relative to the first switch. In various embodiments, the switches of the control circuit are not embodied as a part of an IC. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110163147 | TEST DEVICE FOR A SURGICAL TOOL - In various embodiments, a surgical test device for a surgical tool, such as a severing and/or sealing tool (e.g., a surgical stapler), is provided. In at least one embodiment, the surgical tool can be configured to supply at least one actuation motion to an end effector. The actuation motion(s) may cause a cutting member to move within and/or sealing members (e.g., staples) to eject from the end effector. Further, in at least one embodiment, the surgical test device can be releasably engaged to a portion of the surgical tool, such as the end effector. Additionally, the surgical test device can be configured to permit the surgical tool to supply the actuation motion(s) while preventing the tool from performing its intended surgical function. Accordingly, the surgical tool may be test fired without wasting a sealing member cartridge, while preventing inappropriate use of the tool when the test device is attached thereto. | 07-07-2011 |