End effector identification by mechanical features
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and a loading unit. The loading unit includes a tool assembly, the loading adapted to be coupled to the body portion. The instrument also includes a sensor tube movably positioned within the body portion, the sensor tube adapted to engage the loading unit and a load switch coupled to a microcontroller. The load switch is adapted to be actuated by the sensor tube when the sensor tube is engaged by the loading unit being inserted into the body portion.
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a body portion having a distal portion configured to releasably engage a plurality of types of loading units;
a sensor tube movably disposed within the body portion and configured to engage a loading unit of one of the plurality of types of loading units, the sensor tube including a contact supported thereon;
a potentiometer disposed within the body portion and electrically coupled to the contact, the contact configured to slide along a surface of the potentiometer, wherein the potentiometer is configured to output a sensor signal corresponding to a predetermined distance traveled by the contact relative to the potentiometer upon engagement of a loading unit with the sensor tube; and
a microcontroller coupled to the potentiometer and configured to determine a type of a loading unit engaged with the body portion based on the predetermined distance traveled by the contact relative to the potentiometer.
2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the potentiometer is configured to transmit the sensor signal to the microcontroller.
3. The surgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the microcontroller is configured to adjust at least one operating parameter of the surgical instrument based on a type of a loading unit engaged with the body portion.
4. The surgical instrument according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from the group consisting of firing stroke length, firing speed, and degree of articulation of a loading unit.
5. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a body portion having a distal portion configured to releasably engage a plurality of types of loading units;
a sensor tube including a magnetic member, the sensor tube being movable relative to the body portion and configured to engage a loading unit of one of the plurality of types of loading units;
a sensor disposed about the magnetic member and configured to be actuated by the magnetic member to output a sensor signal reflective of a loading unit being engaged with the sensor tube; and
a microcontroller configured to determine a type of a loading unit engaged with the body portion based on a predetermined distance traveled by the magnetic member relative to the sensor upon engagement of a loading unit with the sensor tube.
6. The surgical instrument according to claim 5 , wherein the sensor is a linear variable differential transducer including a transformer disposed about the sensor tube.
7. The surgical instrument according to claim 6 , wherein the transformer includes a plurality of coils disposed about the sensor tube.
8. The surgical instrument according to claim 5 , wherein upon actuation, the sensor signals the microcontroller to activate the surgical instrument.
9. The surgical instrument according to claim 8 , wherein the sensor tube is engageable only by a loading unit including an articulating tool assembly.
10. The surgical instrument according to claim 9 , further comprising an articulation mechanism.
11. The surgical instrument according to claim 10 , wherein upon engagement by a loading unit including an articulating tool assembly, the microcontroller enables the articulation mechanism.
12. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a body portion having a distal portion configured to releasably engage a plurality of loading unit types;
a sensor tube including a magnetic member disposed within the body portion, wherein the sensor tube is configured to engage a loading unit of one the plurality of types of loading units and to move a predetermined distance in response to engaging a loading unit;
a transformer disposed about the sensor tube, wherein the transformer is configured to generate a sensor signal corresponding to a predetermined distance the sensor tube is displaced by a loading unit; and
a microcontroller configured to determine a type of a loading unit engaged with the body portion based on the predetermined distance the sensor tube is displaced by the loading unit.
13. The surgical instrument according to claim 12 , wherein the transformer includes a plurality of coils disposed about the sensor tube.