Surgical stapling instrument with apparatus for providing anvil position feedback

US7918377B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John P. Measamer · Cincinnati, US
• Frederick E. Shelton, IV · Hillsboro, US
• Chester O. Baxter, III · Loveland, US
• Richard P. Fuchs · Cincinnati, US
• Nicholas G. Molitor · Milford, US
• Bennie Thompson · Blue Ash, US
• Mark Tsonton · Loveland, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 16, 2008
• Grant date: Apr 5, 2011
• Expiry date: Jul 29, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2090/0811
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Circular stapling instruments for cutting and applying one or more surgical staples to tissue are disclosed. The instruments include various forms of feedback systems designed to provide at least one mode of feedback to the surgeon when the anvil has been attached to the device and/or when the anvil has been attached to the device and oriented in a firing position. Various types of feedback indicators are disclosed such as illumination devices, sound generating devices and vibration generation devices. In various embodiments, the feedback indicator comprises at least one illumination device mounted on the anvil which indicates that the anvil has been properly attached to the instrument and which can also serve to illuminate the surgical site.