Surgical instrument system for evaluating tissue impedance
View Patent ↗A surgical instrument system is disclosed. The surgical instrument system comprises a proximal end, a distal end, a first jaw, and a second jaw. The first jaw is movable relative to the second jaw to capture tissue. The surgical instrument system further comprises a sensor system configured to sense the impedance of the tissue at a plurality of discrete locations, a staple cartridge comprising staple cavities, staples removably stored in the staple cavities, an anvil, a firing system configured to move the staples toward the anvil, an electric motor configured to move the firing system toward the distal end during a firing stroke, and a control system. The control system is configured to evaluate the impedance of the tissue at the discrete locations and control the power applied to the electric motor during the firing stroke as the firing system moves relative to the discrete locations.
1. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a first jaw;
a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw to capture tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw;
a sensor system configured to sense the impedance of the tissue at a plurality of discrete locations;
a staple cartridge comprising staple cavities;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
an anvil configured to deform said staples;
a firing system configured to move said staples toward said anvil;
an electric motor configured to move said firing system toward said distal end during a firing stroke; and
a control system configured to:
evaluate the impedance of the tissue at said discrete locations; and
control the speed of said electric motor during said firing stroke as said firing system moves relative to said discrete locations.
2. The surgical instrument system of claim 1 , wherein said discrete locations are arranged along a longitudinal path between said proximal end and said distal end.
3. The surgical instrument system of claim 2 , wherein said staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal slot, wherein said firing system comprises a cutting member configured to travel within said longitudinal slot, and wherein said longitudinal path is adjacent said longitudinal slot.
4. The surgical instrument system of claim 1 , wherein said firing system comprises a first cam member configured to engage said first jaw and a second cam member configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said first cam member and said second cam member are configured to position said first jaw relative to said second jaw.
5. The surgical instrument system of claim 4 , wherein said first jaw comprises said anvil and said second jaw comprises said staple cartridge.
6. The surgical instrument system of claim 5 , wherein said staple cartridge is removable from said second jaw.
7. The surgical instrument system of claim 1 , further comprising a handle.
8. The surgical instrument system of claim 1 , further comprising a battery configured to supply power to said electric motor.
9. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a first jaw;
a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw to capture tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw;
a sensor system configured to sense the impedance of the tissue at discrete locations along a longitudinal path between said proximal end and said distal end;
a staple cartridge comprising staple cavities, wherein said staple cavities are arranged along the longitudinal path;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
an anvil configured to deform said staples;
a firing system configured to move said staples toward said anvil;
an electric motor configured to move said firing system toward said distal end during a firing stroke; and
a control circuit configured to:
evaluate the impedance of the tissue; and
control the speed of said electric motor during said firing stroke.
10. The surgical instrument system of claim 9 , wherein said staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal slot, wherein said firing system comprises a cutting member configured to travel within said longitudinal slot, and wherein said longitudinal path is adjacent said longitudinal slot.
11. The surgical instrument system of claim 9 , wherein said firing system comprises a first cam member configured to engage said first jaw and a second cam member configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said first cam member and said second cam member are configured to position said first jaw relative to said second jaw.
12. The surgical instrument system of claim 11 , wherein said first jaw comprises said anvil and said second jaw comprises said staple cartridge.
13. The surgical instrument system of claim 12 , wherein said staple cartridge is removable from said second jaw.
14. A surgical instrument system, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a first jaw;
a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw to capture tissue between said first jaw and said second jaw;
a sensor system configured to sense the impedance of the tissue at a plurality of discrete locations;
a staple cartridge comprising staple cavities;
staples removably stored in said staple cavities;
an anvil configured to deform said staples;
a firing system configured to move said staples toward said anvil;
an electric motor configured to move said firing system toward said distal end during a firing stroke; and
a control system configured to:
evaluate the impedance of the tissue at said discrete locations; and
control the power applied to said electric motor during said firing stroke as said firing system moves relative to said discrete locations.
15. The surgical instrument system of claim 14 , further comprising a handle.
16. The surgical instrument system of claim 14 , further comprising a battery configured to supply power to said electric motor.
17. The surgical instrument system of claim 14 , wherein said discrete locations are arranged along a longitudinal path between said proximal end and said distal end.
18. The surgical instrument system of claim 17 , wherein said staple cartridge comprises a longitudinal slot, wherein said firing system comprises a cutting member configured to travel within said longitudinal slot, and wherein said longitudinal path is adjacent said longitudinal slot.
19. The surgical instrument system of claim 14 , wherein said firing system comprises a first cam member configured to engage said first jaw and a second cam member configured to engage said second jaw, and wherein said first cam member and said second cam member are configured to position said first jaw relative to said second jaw.
20. The surgical instrument system of claim 19 , wherein said first jaw comprises said anvil and said second jaw comprises said staple cartridge.
21. The surgical instrument system of claim 20 , wherein said staple cartridge is removable from said second jaw.