Laparoscopic tissue thickness and clamp load measuring devices
US8893946B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 29, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2090/064
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A surgical instrument having opposed jaws that can be selectively moved between open and closed positions. Various embodiments include components for measuring the thickness of tissue clamped between the opposed jaws. Some embodiments are configured to ascertain the amount of compressive force that is being applied to the tissue while the thickness of the tissue is being determined. The tissue thickness data is displayed on the instrument itself and/or on a display that is remote from the instrument. The various embodiments may comprise different types of surgical instruments such as surgical staplers and graspers. A jaw arrangement with jaws shaped to define a cradle that corresponds to a cross-sectional shape of an object is also disclosed. The components that generate the thickness data may be electrically or mechanically actuated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.