Patent Publication Number: US-2015076211-A1

Title: Surgical instrument controls with illuminated feedback

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/878,916, filed Sep. 17, 2013, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to surgical instruments and, more specifically, to surgical instruments controls that provide illuminated feedback. 
     DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
     Traditional methods of communicating information, i.e., providing feedback, to clinicians include display screens, markings, and small indication lights. These methods require clinicians to focus on small and specific areas of an instrument. This can distract the clinicians from other areas and can be difficult for the clinicians to interpret once the clinician&#39;s full attention is devoted to the specific area of the instrument. 
     There is a continuing need to provide surgical instruments with improved feedback systems that improve the clinician&#39;s ability to learn the instrument and focus on the patient during surgery. 
     SUMMARY 
     In aspects of the present disclosure, a powered surgical instrument for operating an end effector includes a handle assembly and a control assembly. The handle assembly is configured to engage the end effector. The control assembly is positioned on the handle assembly and includes a plurality of buttons. Each of the plurality of buttons is associated with a function of the end effector and is associated with a light source. Each light source is configured to selectively backlight the associated button. Each light source may be configured to selectively backlight the associated button with diffused light. In some embodiments, each of the plurality of buttons is configured to selectively backlight the associated button with sufficient light to diffuse through a semi-opaque object when the object is disposed over the backlit button. In embodiments, each of the buttons is backlit when the function associated with the button is activatable and is not backlit the function associated with the button is not activatable. 
     In aspects of the present disclosure, two of the buttons are backlit with a respective intensity of light. A first of the buttons may be backlit with a first intensity of light and a second of the buttons may be backlit with a second intensity of light. The second intensity of light being different from the first intensity of light. The intensity of light being based on the function associated with each of the two buttons. 
     In aspects of the present disclosure, two of the buttons are backlit with a respective color of light. A first of the two buttons may be backlit with a first color of light and a second of the two of the buttons may be backlit with a second color of light. The second color of light being different from the first color of light. The color of light being based on the function associated with each of the two buttons. 
     In aspects of the present disclosure, two of the buttons are backlit with light flashing in a respective sequence. A first of the two buttons may be backlit with light flashing in a first sequence and a second of the two buttons may be backlit with light flashing in a second sequence. The second sequence being different from the first sequence. The sequence being based on the function associated with each of the two buttons. 
     In aspects of the present disclosure, one of the buttons is backlit with a first color when a first function is associated with the button and is backlit with a second color when a second function is associated with the button. 
     In aspects of the present disclosure, the control assembly includes a light sensor electrically associated with the light sources. The light sensor is configured to sense a lighting condition of the environment surrounding the control assembly and is configured to adjust the intensity of the light source in response to the lighting condition. The light sensor may be a photovoltaic sensor. 
     In aspects of the present disclosure, one of the light sources is configured to diffuse light about a surface of a glove adjacent the button associated with the light source. In embodiments, the light source is configured to diffuse light through a glove adjacent the button associated with the light source. Each light source may be configured to change a characteristic of the diffused light in response to a distance the glove is away from the button associated with the respective light source. The button associated with each light source may include a cell configured to sense the distance the glove is away from the button associated with the respective light source. Each light source may pulse the diffused light in a first sequence when the glove is at a first distance from the associated button and pulse the diffused light in a second sequence when the glove is at a second distance from the associated button. 
     In aspects of the present disclosure, one of the buttons includes a first icon as indicia of a first function that is associated with the button and a second icon as indicia of a second function that is associated with the button. The first icon being viewable when the first function is associated with the button and the second icon being viewable when the second function is associated with the button. In embodiments, the first and second icons are not simultaneously viewable. 
     In aspects of the present disclosure, the control assembly includes a touch interface that selectively defines each of the buttons when the function associated with the button is activatable. 
     In aspects of the present disclosure, an electromechanical surgical system includes an end effector and a powered surgical instrument. The end effector includes a tool assembly having a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly. The cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are moveable relative to one another between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the cartridge assembly is spaced-spaced apart from the anvil assembly and in the closed position, the cartridge assembly is approximated to the anvil assembly. 
     Further, to the extent consistent, any of the aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical system in accordance with the present disclosure including a surgical instrument having a tool assembly in an open position and a control assembly with backlit buttons; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the surgical system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the surgical system of  FIG. 1  with tool assembly in a closed position and a finger of a clinician engaging the close/fire button; 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic side-section view taken along line  3 A- 3 A shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of an electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical system in accordance with the present disclosure including a surgical instrument having a tool assembly in an open position and a control assembly including a touch screen; and 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the surgical system of  FIG. 4  with the tool assembly in a closed position and a finger of a clinician engaging the fire button. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the presently disclosed electromechanical surgical system, apparatus, and/or device are described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. As used herein the term “distal” refers to that portion of the electromechanical surgical system, apparatus and/or device, or component thereof, that are farther from the user, while the term “proximal” refers to that portion of the electromechanical surgical system, apparatus and/or device, or component thereof, that are closer to the user. The terms “left” and “right” refer to that portion of the electromechanical surgical system, apparatus, device, and/or component thereof, that are on the left and right sides, respectively, from the perspective of the user facing the distal end of the electromechanical surgical system, apparatus and/or instrument from the proximal end while the surgical system, apparatus and/or device is oriented in non-rotational (e.g., home) configuration. The term “clinician” refers to a doctor, a nurse, or any other care provider and may include support personnel. 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , an electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown and generally designated  10 . Electromechanical surgical system  10  includes a surgical apparatus or device in the form of an electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical instrument  100  that is configured for selective attachment thereto of a plurality of different end effectors  300 , via an adapter assembly  200  (e.g., elongated body). End effector  300  and adapter assembly  200  are configured for actuation and manipulation by the electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical instrument  100 . In particular, surgical instrument  100 , adapter assembly  200 , and end effector  300  are separable from each other such that surgical instrument  100  is configured for selective connection with adapter assembly  200 , and, in turn, adapter assembly  200  is configured for selective connection with any one of a plurality of different end effectors  300 . 
     A brief description of the construction an operation of surgical instrument  100  is included herein. For a detailed description of the construction and operation of exemplary electromechanical, hand-held, powered surgical instrument  100  reference may be made to International Application No. PCT/U.S.2008/077249, filed Sep. 22, 2008 (Inter. Pub. No. WO 2009/039506), U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2011/0121049, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/837,225 [H-U.S.-03825 (203-9270)], the entire contents of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     Surgical instrument  100  may include a handle housing  102  including one or more controllers (not shown), a power source (not shown), and a drive mechanism (not shown) having one or more motors, gear selector boxes, gearing mechanisms, and the like disposed therein. 
     In particular, the drive mechanism may be configured to, for example, drive shafts and/or gear components (not shown) in order to selectively articulate a tool assembly  304  of end effector  300  relative to a proximal body portion  302  of end effector  300 , to rotate end effector  300  about a longitudinal axis thereof, to move anvil assembly  306  and cartridge assembly  308  of end effector  300  relative to one another, to fire staples from cartridge assembly  308 , and/or advancing a knife within cartridge assembly  308 . 
     Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , housing  102  supports a control assembly  400  whose input is transferred to the drive mechanism of surgical instrument  100  to manipulate end effector  300  and tool assembly  304  thereof as detailed above. As shown, control assembly  400  includes a close/fire button  410 , an unclamp or open button  412 , left and right articulation buttons  414 L,  414 R, a clockwise rotational button  416 , and a counter-clockwise rotational button  418 . It is contemplated that control assembly  400  may include a one or more finger-actuated control buttons, rocker devices, touch screens, joystick, or other directional controls. 
     Each button  410 - 418  may include indicia indicative of the function of the button  410 - 418  inscribed or projected on the surface thereof. The indicia may change or disappear as an operative condition of components of surgical system  10  changes, e.g., in  FIG. 1  button  410  displays a first icon indicating the close function and in  FIG. 2  button  410  displays a second icon indicating the fire function. 
     For example, buttons  410 - 418  may be selectively backlit as detailed below. The material and/or surface of each of buttons  410 - 418  is sufficiently clear or translucent so as to diffuse the light that backlights the button  410 - 418 . In embodiments, the material and/or surface of each of buttons  410 - 418  is sufficiently clear or translucent so as to diffuse the light that backlights the button  410 - 418  through an object placed over the button, such as, for example, a user&#39;s gloved finger. An example of materials that may be used for buttons  410 - 418  are translucent polymers. The diffusion of the light by each button  410 - 418  may increase the visibility of buttons  410 - 418  as compared to a backlit button that does not diffuse light. Each button  410 - 418  may be backlit in a color to provide indicia of the function of the button  410 - 418 . Each button  410 - 418  may be backlit in a color different from each other button  410 - 418 . Each button  410 - 418  may include a single backlighting element, i.e., an LED light, configured to backlight the button  410 - 418  in a single color or multiple backlighting elements, i.e., multiple LED lights of the same or differing colors configured to backlight the button  410 - 418  in multiple colors based on the current function of the button  410 - 418 . Differing the color of buttons  410 - 418  provides feedback to a clinician, which may assist the clinician in identifying the function of each button as the operative condition of the components of surgical system  10  change, e.g., as tool assembly  304  closes. In embodiments, buttons  410 - 418  are selectively backlit in response to sensed conditions of surgical instrument  100 , end effector  300 , or components thereof to only backlight buttons  410 - 418  corresponding to available functions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , tool assembly  304  of end effector  300  is in an open position. When tool assembly  304  is in this condition a clinician may choose the articulate, rotate, or close functions of tool assembly  304  of end effector  300 . As such only close/fire button  410 , articulation buttons  414 L,  414 R, and rotational buttons  416 ,  418  are backlit. It will be appreciated, that while tool assembly  304  is in the open position open button  412  corresponding to opening function of tool assembly  304  is not available and is not backlit. 
     In this open condition of tool assembly  304 , close/fire button  410  may be backlit in green and articulation buttons  414 L,  414 R may be backlit in yellow and rotational buttons  416 ,  418  may be backlit in blue to provide simplified feedback to a clinician as to the function of each button. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the rear of instrument  100  is shown when the tool assembly ( FIG. 3 ) is in the closed position. When tool assembly  304  is in the closed position, instrument  100  may be functionally limited to firing staples from the staple cartridge (not shown), advancing a knife within the staple cartridge, or opening the tool assembly ( FIG. 3 ). As such only close/fire button  410  (for firing the staples or advancing the knife) and the open button  412  are backlit. In this condition, close/fire button  410  may be backlit in green and open button  412  may be backlit in red. It will further be appreciated, that as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , while tool assembly  304  is in the closed position articulation buttons  414 L,  414 R and rotational buttons  416 ,  418  corresponding to the articulation and rotation functions of tool assembly  304 , respectively, are not available and are not backlit. In some embodiments, while tool assembly  304  is in the closed position articulation buttons  414 L,  414 R and rotational buttons  416 ,  418  may be activatable and are backlit. 
     In embodiments, the backlighting of buttons  410 - 418  provides indicia and/or feedback of the functionality of each button  410 - 418  by flashing in different sequences and/or at different frequencies. In some embodiments, the backlighting of buttons  410 - 418  provides indicia of the functionality of each button  410 - 418  by varying the intensity of the backlighting. 
     Control assembly  400  may include a sensor  420  to detect a lighting condition of the environment surrounding surgical instrument  100 . By detecting the lighting condition control assembly  400  may automatically vary the intensity of the backlighting of buttons  410 - 418  in response to the lighting condition, e.g., when in a device preparation area in a darker area of a room the intensity of the backlighting may be low and in the brightly lit surgical area of an operating room the intensity of the backlighting may be high, to improve the visuality of the buttons  410 - 418 . Sensor  420  may be a photovoltaic sensor. In response to sensor  420 , control assembly  400  may adjust the current driving the backlighting of buttons  410 - 418  to adjust the intensity of the backlighting. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , buttons  410 - 418  of control assembly  400  may be clear or translucent and configured to diffuse the backlighting about the surface of a glove  500  worn by a clinician or to transmit the backlighting through glove  500 . Glove  500  may be translucent or semi-opaque such that light from buttons  410 - 418  is diffused about the outer surface of glove  500  to provide indicia that a finger or a hand of a clinician is adjacent to or in contact with a selected button of control assembly  400 . The diffused light may change color when the finger contacts a select button  410 - 418  and may change color when the finger depresses or activates a select button  410 - 418 . In some embodiments, the diffused light changes patterns as the finger of the clinician approaches and contacts the selected button  410 - 418 , e.g., the diffused light increases the frequency of flashing as the finger approaches the selected button  410 - 418  and is solid when the finger is in contact with the selected button  410 - 418  and may go out when the finger depresses or activates a select button  410 - 418 . In certain embodiments, the selected button  410 - 418  may include a sensor to detect the position of the finger of the clinician relative to the selected button  410 - 418  operatively associated with control assembly  400  to change the pattern of the diffused light. The increased surface area of diffused light may assist a clinician in selecting a desired function of surgical instrument  100  without redirecting the attention of the clinician from another area, i.e., a surgical site. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3A , button  410  includes a cell  430 , e.g., a photoelectric cell, a capacitive touch cell, a force feedback cell, etc., positioned under button  410  to monitor the level of light that enters the device to determine when the finger of the clinician is in contact with or adjacent to button  410 . It is contemplated that each button  410 - 418  may include a cell  430 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , surgical instrument  100  includes a control assembly  600 . Control assembly  600  is similar to control assembly  400  detailed above and only the differences will be detailed below for reasons of brevity. 
     Control assembly  600  includes a touch interface  602 . Touch interface  602  is dynamically configurable without fixed buttons for each function of surgical instrument  100 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , tool assembly  304  of end effector  300  is in the open position. When tool assembly  304  is in the open position, a clinician may choose the articulate, rotate, or close functions of tool assembly  304  of end effector  300 . When tool assembly  304  is in such a position, touch interface  602  only displays buttons or defines areas corresponding with each function, i.e., a close/fire area  610 , articulation areas  614 L,  614 R, and rotational areas  616 ,  618 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , tool assembly  304  of end effector  300  is in the closed position. When tool assembly  304  is in the closed position, instrument  100  may be functionally limited to firing staples from staple cartridge  308 , advancing a knife within staple cartridge  308 , or opening tool assembly  304 . As such only close/fire area  410  (for firing the staples or advancing the knife) and an open area  412  are displayed or defined on touch interface  602 . 
     Each area  610 - 618  may include indicia of its function in the form of color, iconic indicia, and/or shape. Touch interface  602  may be backlit with diffused light to selectively illuminate each area  610 - 618 . 
     Control assembly  600  may include a sensor  620  to detect the lighting condition of the area surrounding control assembly  600  to vary the intensity of the backlighting of each area  610 - 618 . Sensor  620  of control assembly  600  is similar to sensor  420  of control assembly  400 . It is contemplated that each area of control assembly  600  may include a cell  630  to detect the finger of a clinician adjacent or in contact with each area. Cells  630  of control assembly  600  are similar to cells  430  of control assembly  400 . Each area  610 - 618  may diffuse light about the outer surface of glove  500  as the finger of the clinician approaches and/or contacts a selected area  610 - 618 . The intensity and/or frequency of the backlighting of areas  610 - 618  may also vary as the finger of the clinician approaches, contacts, and/or activates a selected area  610 - 618 . 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, in addition to the feedback provided to the clinician by the backlighting of buttons  410 - 418  or the lighting of areas  610 - 618 , the feedback to the clinician may be augmented by some haptic feedback wherein surgical instrument  100  may vibrate in response to contact or activation thereof. An intensity of the haptic feedback may vary in response to a number of conditions, including and not limited to a thickness of gloves worn by the clinician, a stage of the surgical procedure, etc. 
     While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Any combination of the above embodiments is also envisioned and is within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.