Controlled tissue compression systems and methods

Abstract

A surgical instrument is provided including an end effector configured to clamp, staple or cut tissue tissue, a motor configured to drive the end effector and a control system. The control system is configured to receive information about at least one tissue property and select a tissue management mode based on the at least one tissue property. The control system controls the motor based on the selected tissue management mode.

1 . A surgical device comprising:
 an end effector configured to clamp, staple or cut tissue;   a motor configured to drive the end effector; and   a control system configured to:
 receive information about at least one tissue property; 
 select a tissue management mode based on the at least one tissue property; and 
 control the motor based on the selected tissue management mode. 
   
     
     
         2 . The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control system further comprises an indicator that provides a clinician with a status of a tissue gap range of the end effector. 
     
     
         3 . The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the control system further includes a sensor array configured to detect at least one tissue property. 
     
     
         4 . The surgical device according to  claim 3 , wherein the sensor array detects a tissue property by measuring a current draw on the motor. 
     
     
         5 . The surgical device according to  claim 3 , wherein the sensor array detects a tissue property by measuring a dwell effect at the end effector. 
     
     
         6 . The surgical device according to  claim 1 , wherein the tissue management mode is a constant torque profile, a modulated torque profile, a maximum torque profile or a manual override mode. 
     
     
         7 . The surgical device according to  claim 6 , wherein the control system applies a constant signal to the motor in the constant torque profile. 
     
     
         8 . The surgical device according to  claim 6 , wherein the control system applies a periodic signal to the motor in the modulated torque profile. 
     
     
         9 . The surgical device according to  claim 6 , wherein the powered surgical instrument fires at a speed that is faster than the speed of firing in the constant torque profile, the modulated torque profile or the manual override mode when the powered surgical instrument uses the maximum torque profile. 
     
     
         10 . The surgical device according to  claim 6 , wherein a user manually controls the motor in the manual override mode. 
     
     
         11 . A method of applying staples by a powered surgical instrument, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a surgical instrument having an end effector that is powered by a motor;   inputting tissue type and/or disease type;   clamping tissue using the end effector driven by the motor;   detecting at least one tissue property of the clamped tissue;   determining if a desired tissue gap range is achieved by the end effector;   selecting a tissue management mode to clamp tissue to achieve the desired tissue gap; and   firing the powered surgical instrument in the selected tissue management mode to apply staples to the clamped tissue.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11  further comprising the step of providing an indication of a status of a tissue gap range. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the step of detecting at least one tissue property further includes measuring a current draw on the motor. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the step of detecting at least one tissue property further includes measuring a dwell effect at the end effector. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the step of selecting the tissue management mode is based on the at least one tissue property of the clamped tissue detected. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the step of selecting the tissue management mode is performed by a clinician. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the tissue management mode is a constant torque profile, modulated torque profile, maximum torque profile or a manual override mode. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step of the powered surgical instrument suggesting a different reload when the desired tissue gap range for the end effector is not achieved.