Surgical clip applier comprising adaptive control in response to a strain gauge circuit
US11071560B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 24, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jul 27, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 1, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG09G2380/08
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical clip applier comprising an electric motor system is disclosed. The electric motor system is configured to drive a clip firing system of the surgical clip applier. The surgical clip applier further comprises a control system configured to control the electric motor system. The control system is configured to monitor a strain gauge circuit to assess the crimping force experienced by the clip firing system. In at least one instance, one or more strain gauges are mounted to a drive shaft and/or jaw of the clip firing system. The control system modifies the operation of the surgical clip applier when the voltage of the strain gauge circuit exceeds and/or falls below a threshold. In at least one instance, the control system modulates the width, or duration, of voltage pulses applied to the electric motor system to control the speed of the electric motor system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.