Controlled tissue compression systems and methods
A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to clamp, staple or cut tissue, a motor configured to drive the end effector, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive information about at least one tissue property and select a tissue management mode based on the at least one tissue property. The control system controls the motor based on the selected tissue management mode.
1. A powered surgical stapling instrument comprising:
a handle;
a shaft portion extending distally from the handle;
an end effector coupled to a distal end portion of the shaft portion and configured to fire staples into tissue;
a motor received in the handle and configured to drive an operation of the end effector; and
a control system including:
a processor in communication with the motor; and
a memory having stored therein instructions including a plurality of tissue management modes, the plurality of tissue management modes including a constant torque profile, a modulated torque profile, and a maximum torque profile,
the processor being configured to select one of the plurality of tissue management modes based on a tissue property of the tissue, wherein in the modulated torque profile tissue management mode the processor is configured to send a periodic signal to the motor to cause the end effector to apply a pulsating or periodic strain on the tissue, and in the maximum torque profile tissue management mode the processor is configured to cause the end effector to fire staples relatively faster at a beginning and at an end of a staple firing stroke.
2. The powered surgical stapling instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the tissue property is a thickness of the clamped tissue.
3. The powered surgical stapling instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the control system further includes a sensor array configured to determine the tissue property based on a current draw on the motor.
4. The powered surgical stapling instrument according to claim 1 , wherein in the constant torque profile tissue management mode, the motor is configured to generate a constant torque at a constant motor speed, and wherein in the modulated torque profile tissue management mode, the processor is configured to apply the periodic signal to the motor.
5. The powered surgical stapling instrument according to claim 4 , wherein in the maximum torque profile tissue management mode, the processor is configured to cause the end effector to fire the staples relatively faster than in the constant and modulated torque profile tissue management modes.
6. A surgical handle assembly, comprising:
a handle;
a motor received in the handle and configured to drive an operation of an end effector; and
a control system received in the handle and including:
a processor in communication with the motor; and
a memory having stored therein instructions including a plurality of tissue management modes, the plurality of tissue management modes including a constant torque profile, a modulated torque profile, and a maximum torque profile,
the processor being configured to select one of the plurality of tissue management modes based on a tissue property of tissue, wherein in the modulated torque profile tissue management mode the processor is configured to send a periodic signal to the motor to cause the end effector to apply a pulsating or periodic strain on the tissue, and in the maximum torque profile tissue management mode the processor is configured to cause the end effector to fire staples relatively faster at a beginning and at an end of a staple firing stroke.
7. The surgical handle assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the tissue property is a thickness of the tissue.
8. The surgical handle assembly according to claim 6 , wherein the control system further includes a sensor array configured to determine the tissue property based on a current draw on the motor.