Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and remote sensor

Abstract

A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical instrument comprising:
 an end effector comprising at least one sensor;   an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft; and   a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft, the handle housing a control unit, wherein the control unit is electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the control unit to the sensor and to receive radiated signals from the sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the handle further houses:
 a motor in communication with the control unit and for powering the end effector; and   a battery for powering the motor.   
     
     
         3 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a magnetoresistive sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a RFID sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises a MEMS sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor comprises an electromechanical sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor is connected to a plastic cartridge of the end effector. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the end effector comprises an electrically conductive component coupled to the shaft, wherein the electrically conductive component is configured to radiate data signals to and from the sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument comprises an endoscopic surgical instrument. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument comprises a cutting and fastening surgical instrument. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical instrument of  claim 11 , wherein the end effector comprises a cutting instrument. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical instrument of  claim 12 , wherein the end effector comprises a plastic cartridge and the at least one sensor is disposed in the cartridge. 
     
     
         14 . A surgical instrument comprising:
 an end effector comprising at least one sensor;   an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft; and   a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the control unit to the sensor and to receive radiated signals from the sensor.   
     
     
         15 . The surgical instrument of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a motor in communication with the control unit and for powering the end effector; and   a battery for powering the motor   
     
     
         16 . The surgical instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one sensor is connected to a plastic cartridge of the end effector. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical instrument of  claim 14 , wherein the end effector comprises an electrically conductive component coupled to the shaft, wherein the electrically conductive component is configured to radiate data signals to and from the sensor. 
     
     
         18 . The surgical instrument of  claim 17 , wherein the end effector comprises a plastic staple cartridge and the at least one sensor is disposed in the staple cartridge. 
     
     
         19 . A surgical instrument comprising:
 an end effector comprising at least one sensor;   an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector, wherein the sensor is electrically coupled to the shaft; and   a control unit electrically insulated from the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the sensor to the control unit and to receive radiated signals from the control unit.   
     
     
         20 . A method comprising:
 obtaining a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:
 an end effector comprising at least one sensor; 
 a shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft; and 
 a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the control unit to the sensor and to receive radiated signals from the sensor; 
   sterilizing the surgical instrument; and   storing the surgical instrument in a sterile container.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising remotely programming the control unit while the instrument is in the sterile container.