Electro-mechanical surgical device

Abstract

An electromechanical surgical device includes a motor system configured to drive drive-shafts and a steering cable arrangement. A control system may be provided for controlling the motor system. A remote control unit may also be provided for controlling the motor system via the control system. Optical or Hall-effect devices, may be provided for determining the position of the elements of the surgical instrument based on the detected rotation of the drive-shafts. A memory unit stores a plurality of operating programs or algorithms, each corresponding to a type of surgical instrument attachable to the electro-mechanical surgical device. The control system reads or selects from the plurality of operating programs or algorithms, the operating program or algorithm corresponding to the type of surgical instrument attached to the electromechanical surgical device.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A surgical instrument for use with, and actuation by an electro-mechanical surgical device, the surgical instrument comprising:
 a coupling configured to couple the surgical instrument with the electro-mechanical surgical device; and   a memory unit configured to store usage data of the surgical instrument, the memory unit also configured for communication with the electro-mechanical surgical device,   wherein the surgical instrument is configured to perform a surgical function on target tissue.   
     
     
         3 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the surgical instrument is configured for a predetermined number of uses, the memory unit configured to further store the predetermined number of uses, and wherein use of the surgical instrument is prevented when the usage data exceeds the predetermined number of uses. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 3 , wherein the surgical instrument is in communication with a control system configured to compare the usage data to the predetermined number of uses. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 4 , wherein the surgical instrument is in communication with a control system configured to generate a signal indicating an error condition when the usage data exceeds the predetermined number of uses. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the surgical instrument is in communication with a control system configured to decrement the usage data upon a firing of the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the memory is configured to store data representing a type of the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 7 , wherein the data representing a type of the surgical instrument is readable by a control system of the electro-mechanical surgical device. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 8 , wherein the data representing the type of the surgical instrument indicates that the surgical instrument is a surgical stapler, a surgical cutter, a surgical stapler-cutter, a linear surgical stapler, a linear surgical stapler-cutter, a circular surgical stapler, a circular surgical stapler-cutter, a surgical clip applier, a surgical clip ligator, a surgical clamping device, a vessel expanding device, a lumen expanding device, a scalpel, or a fluid delivery device. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the usage data or the data representing a type of the surgical instrument is readable by the control system of the electro-mechanical surgical device. 
     
     
         11 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the coupling includes a data connector configured to connect the memory unit with the electro-mechanical surgical device. 
     
     
         12 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 11 , wherein the data connector is configured to transfer data stored in the memory unit to a control system of the electro-mechanical surgical device. 
     
     
         13 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 2 , wherein the coupling is configured to detachably attach the surgical instrument to the electro-mechanical surgical device. 
     
     
         14 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 2 , further comprising at least one rotatable drive shaft configured to couple with a respective drive shaft of the electro-mechanical surgical device. 
     
     
         15 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one rotatable drive shaft includes a first rotatable drive shaft and a second rotatable drive shaft, each of the first and second rotatable drive shafts configured to couple with a respective drive shaft of the electro-mechanical surgical device. 
     
     
         16 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 15 , wherein the first rotatable drive shaft is configured to open and close the surgical instrument. 
     
     
         17 . The surgical instrument according to  claim 16 , wherein the second rotatable drive shaft is configured to drive at least one of a staple driver or a cutter. 
     
     
         18 . A method of using an electro-mechanical surgical device configured for use with, and actuation of a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
 connecting a surgical instrument configured to perform a surgical function on target tissue to an electro-mechanical surgical device using a coupling disposed at a first end of the surgical instrument, the surgical instrument configured for a predetermined number of uses;
 transmitting data from a memory unit of the surgical instrument to a control system of the electro-mechanical surgical device, the data including the predetermined number of uses and usage data of the surgical instrument; and 
   preventing use of the surgical instrument when the usage data exceeds the predetermined number of uses.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising comparing the usage data to the predetermined number of uses by the control system of the electro-mechanical surgical device. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising the control system of the electro-mechanical surgical device generating a signal indicating an error condition when the usage data exceeds the predetermined number of uses. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising decrementing a remaining number of uses of the surgical instrument following a firing thereof.