Power control arrangements for surgical instruments and batteries

Inventor: Wendy A. Kerr (Minneapolis, MN)

A61B17/00 A61B17/07207 A61B18/10 A61B18/1445 H01M50/247 H02J7/70 A61B2017/00398 A61B2017/00734 A61B2017/07285 A61B17/2833 A61B2017/2923 A61B2017/2927 A61B2017/320052 A61B17/320092 A61B2017/320093 A61B2017/320094 A61B2017/320095 A61B2017/320097 A61B2018/00196 A61B2018/00297 A61B2018/00589 A61B2018/00601 A61B2018/00702 A61B2018/00755 A61B18/085 A61B2018/1412 A61B18/20

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12661096
App. No.: 17/960,464
Granted: Jun 23, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

Various embodiments are directed to battery unit for use with surgical instruments. The battery units may comprise a plurality of cells and include a translatable discharge drain. When attached to the surgical instrument, the discharge drain may electrically connect an anode of the battery unit to a cathode of the battery unit, for example, via a resistive element in order to drain the battery unit.

Claims (30)

1 . A battery for use with a surgical instrument comprising a battery dock, the battery comprising:

(a) a battery housing;

(b) at least one battery cell; and

wherein, in a first condition, the battery drain is not electrically coupled to the at least one battery cell,

wherein, in a second condition, the battery drain is electrically coupled to the at least one battery cell to discharge the at least one battery cell, and

wherein the battery drain is configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition as a result of the battery being coupled with the battery dock.

2 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the battery drain is at a first position within the battery when in the first condition and at a second position within the battery when in the second condition.

3 . The battery of claim 2 , wherein the battery dock comprises a ram positioned such that, when the battery is coupled with the battery dock, the ram moves the battery drain from the first position to the second position.

4 . The battery of claim 2 , wherein the battery drain is part of a closed electrical circuit including a circuit board when the battery drain is in the second position.

5 . The battery of claim 2 , wherein the battery drain is part of a closed electrical circuit including a resistive element when the battery drain is in the second position.

6 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein the battery is seatable within the battery dock.

7 . A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:

(a) a surgical instrument having a battery dock; and

(b) the battery of claim 1 , wherein the battery is coupleable with the battery dock and configured to power the surgical instrument.

8 . The surgical instrument assembly of claim 7 , wherein the surgical instrument includes:

(i) a motor configured to be powered by the battery; and

(ii) an end effector configured to be actuated by the motor, wherein the end effector includes a pair of jaws configured to cooperate to clamp and staple tissue with a plurality of staples.

9 . A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:

(a) a surgical instrument including:

(i) a motor configured to actuate a portion of the surgical instrument, and

(ii) a battery dock electrically coupled with the motor; and

(b) a battery operably coupleable with the battery dock, the battery including:

(i) a housing,

(ii) at least one battery cell, and

(iv) a battery drain operable in a first condition in which the battery drain does not discharge the at least one battery cell and in a second condition in which the battery drain discharges the at least one battery cell, wherein the battery drain is configured to transition from the first condition to the second condition as a result of the battery being coupled with the battery dock.

10 . The surgical instrument assembly of claim 9 , wherein the battery drain is at a first position within the battery when in the first condition and at a second position within the battery when in the second condition.

11 . The surgical instrument assembly of claim 10 , wherein the battery dock comprises a ram positioned such that, when the battery is coupled with the battery dock, the ram pushes the battery drain from the first position to the second position.

12 . The surgical instrument assembly of claim 10 , wherein the battery drain is part of a closed electrical circuit including a circuit board when the battery drain is in the second position.

13 . The surgical instrument assembly of claim 10 , wherein the battery drain is part of a closed electrical circuit including a resistive element when the battery drain is in the second position.