Providing Near Real Time Feedback To A User of A Surgical Instrument
A process and system are disclosed for downloading sensor data, stored in a memory device of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument, to an external or remote computer device. The process may involve storing data from one or more sensors of a surgical cutting and fastening instrument in a memory device of a control unit of the surgical cutting and fastening instrument during a surgical procedure involving the surgical cutting and fastening instrument. During the surgical procedure, the data may be transmitted to a local wireless communication device that is then transmitted to a central database for data analysis. Feedback is then communicated from the central database to a user of the surgical device via the local wireless communication device.
1 . A method of providing feedback to a surgeon, comprising:
providing an electrically powered stapling instrument comprising:
a handle having a power source and an electric motor;
a shaft in communication with the handle;
an end effector in communication with the shaft having a staple cartridge;
a microprocessor in communication with the motor;
a data storage device in communication with the microprocessor;
a data transmission device in communication with the data storage device and the microprocessor;
measuring a motor parameter when the electrically powered stapling instrument is fired;
storing the motor parameter;
transmitting the motor parameter to a remote device;
the remote device comparing the motor parameter to a preset value;
alerting the user via the remote device that the motor operated outside the preset value during firing; and
suggesting a cartridge based upon the comparing the motor parameter to the preset value.
2 . A method of providing feedback to a surgeon, comprising:
providing an electrically powered surgical instrument comprising:
a handle having a power source and an electric motor;
a shaft in communication with the handle;
an end effector in communication with the shaft;
a microprocessor in communication with the motor;
a data storage device in communication with the microprocessor;
an RF data transmission device in communication with the data storage device and the microprocessor;
measuring an electrical parameter when the electrically powered instrument is fired;
storing the electrical parameter;
transmitting the electrical parameter to a remote device;
the remote device comparing the electrical parameter to a preset value; and
alerting the user via the remote device that the instrument operated outside the preset value during firing.