End effector identification by mechanical features
US8733614B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 4, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 27, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 9, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2562/00
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.