LOCAL DISPLAY OF TISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION
A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler and surgical stapling systems are disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body having a tissue-contacting surface. One or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) are positioned at the edges of the tissue-contacting surface. A plurality of staple drivers is located within the cartridge body each supporting a staple.
1 . A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler, the staple cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body having a tissue-contacting surface;
one or more LEDs positioned at the edges of the tissue-contacting surface; and
a plurality of staple drivers within the cartridge body each supporting a staple.
2 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the one or more LEDs emit ultraviolet light.
3 . The staple cartridge of claim 2 , wherein the staples are coated in a fluorescing dye.
4 . The staple cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the one or more LEDs emit infrared light.
5 . A surgical stapling system comprising:
an elongated shaft assembly configured to transmit actuation motions from an actuator; and
an end effector for compressing and stapling tissue, the end effector operably coupled to the elongated shaft, the end effector comprising:
an elongated channel;
an anvil having a staple forming surface thereon, the anvil moveable relative to the elongated channel between an open position and a closed position; and
a staple cartridge removably positioned within the elongated channel, the staple cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body having a tissue-contacting surface in a confronting relationship with the anvil's staple forming surface when the anvil is in the closed position;
one or more LEDs positioned to be visible when the anvil is in the closed position; and
a plurality of staple drivers within the cartridge body each supporting a staple.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the one or more LEDs indicate that the compressed tissue is stable.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein at least one LED is visible from either the left or the right side of the end effector, the at least one LED configured to flash at the rate of the tissue's stabilization and further configured to maintain a lit condition when the tissue is stable.
8 . The system of claim 6 , wherein more than one LED is visible from either the left or the right side of the end effector.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the more than one LEDs light in sequence at the rate of the tissue's stabilization, such that when all the LEDs indicates that the tissue is stable.
10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the more than one LEDs light in sequence, the speed of the sequence indicating the rate of the tissue's stabilization, and wherein all the LEDs flash simultaneously when the tissue is stable.
11 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the one or more LEDs indicate which portions of the end effector are in sufficient contact with the tissue.
12 . The system of claim 5 , the system further comprising a processor, the processor configured to compare the tissue's parameters against the acceptable parameters for all staple cartridges.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the processor is further configured to compare the tissue's parameters against the acceptable parameters for the staple cartridge currently present in the elongated channel.
14 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the LEDs indicate that the staple cartridge is appropriate for the tissue.
15 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the one or more LEDs indicate that the staple cartridge is not compatible with the stapling system.
16 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the one or more LEDs indicate that the end effector is enclosing more tissue than is suitable for the staple cartridge.
17 . A surgical stapling system comprising:
an elongated shaft assembly configured to transmit actuation motions from an actuator; and
an end effector for compressing and stapling tissue, the end effector operably coupled to the elongated shaft, the end effector comprising:
an elongated channel;
an anvil having a staple forming surface thereon, the anvil moveable relative to the elongated channel between an open position and a closed position; and
a staple cartridge removably positioned within the elongated channel, the staple cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body having an upper surface in a confronting relationship with the anvil's staple forming surface when the anvil is in a closed position;
one or more LEDs positioned to provide illumination to the area between the anvil and the staple cartridge when the anvil is in a closed position; and
a plurality of staple drivers within the cartridge body each supporting a staple.
18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more LEDs emit ultraviolet light.
19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the staples are coated in a fluorescing dye.
20 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the one or more LEDs emit infrared light.