Surgical stapler with timer and feedback display
View Patent ↗A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.
1. A surgical stapler comprising:
a handle assembly including a trigger;
a clamping device having a staple cartridge containing a plurality of staples and an anvil to compress tissue therebetween;
a drive assembly at least partially located within the handle and connected to the clamping device;
a controller operatively coupled to a first switch and a second switch; and
a motor with a drive mechanism operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the drive mechanism engages a drive screw intended to rotate from an initial position and actuate the first switch, wherein the drive screw traverses a predetermined distance to ensure tissue compression by the clamping device and actuates the second switch.
2. The surgical stapler of claim 1 , wherein the handle has a visual indicator operatively connected to the controller having a first light and a second light.
3. The surgical stapler of claim 2 , wherein upon actuation of the first switch, the controller actuates the first light.
4. The surgical stapler of claim 3 , wherein upon actuation of the second switch, the controller actuates the second light.
5. The surgical stapler of claim 1 , wherein upon actuation of the second switch, the controller reverses the direction of the drive screw returning the drive screw to the initial position.
6. The surgical stapler of claim 5 , wherein the handle has a third light operatively coupled to the controller, wherein upon the drive screw returning to the initial position, the controller actuates the third light.