Surgical instrument with user adaptable algorithms

Abstract

Various forms are directed to systems and methods for dissection and coagulation of tissue. A surgical instrument includes an end effector configured to dissect and seal tissue at a distal end thereof, and a selector switch having a plurality of surgical modes. A generator is electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and is configured to deliver energy to the end effector. Each surgical mode of the selector switch corresponds to an algorithm for controlling the power delivered from the generator to the end effector, and each algorithm corresponding to the plurality of surgical modes is configured to allow a user to control the power output level of the generator.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for dissection and coagulation of tissue, comprising:
 a surgical instrument having an end effector configured to dissect and seal tissue at a distal end thereof, the surgical instrument including a selector switch thereon having a plurality of surgical modes;   a generator electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and configured to deliver energy to the end effector;   wherein each surgical mode of the selector switch corresponds to an algorithm for controlling the power delivered from the generator to the end effector.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each algorithm corresponding to the plurality of surgical modes is configured to allow a user to control a power output level of the generator. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein a maximum and minimum power output of the generator is controlled by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each algorithm is configured to allow the user to modify timing of a drop in the power output during each surgical mode. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the algorithm corresponding to each of the plurality of surgical modes is configured to be modified by a user to allow customization of each of the plurality of surgical modes. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the surgical instrument includes a closure switch configured to move between a first position in which the end effector is opened to allow tissue to be positioned within the end effector and a second position in which the end effector is closed such that tissue to held by the end effector. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the generator is configured to deliver power to the end effector when the closure switch is in the second position and the end effector is closed. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein one or more of the algorithms corresponding to the plurality of surgical modes includes a threshold counter for counting the number of activations of the end effector when the closure switch is in the second position such that the power output from the generator activates more quickly. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein an adaptive energy mode of the generator is enabled such that adaptive energy can be delivered from the generator to the end effector when the closure switch is in the second position and the end effector is closed on the tissue. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein an angle of closure of the end effector can be detected when the closure switch is positioned between the first and second positions, the angle of closure of the end effector being used to adjust the energy delivered from the generator to the end effector. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein a frequency slope of the energy delivered from the generator can be varied depending on the angle of closure of the end effector. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for dissection and coagulation of tissue, comprising:
 a surgical instrument having an end effector configured to dissect and seal tissue at a distal end thereof;   a generator electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and configured to deliver energy to the end effector; and   a surgical mode selector input having a plurality of surgical modes for selection by a user such that each surgical mode corresponds to an algorithm for controlling the power output from the generator.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the surgical mode selector input is in the form of a selector switch on the surgical instrument such that the selector switch can be toggled between the plurality of surgical modes to control the power output to the end effector. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the surgical mode selector input is in the form of a receptacle for an input device located on the generator. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the input device is an radio frequency identification (RFID) swipe key. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the input device is a universal serial bus (USB). 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the input device includes customized surgical modes for controlling the power output of the generator to the end effector. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the surgical mode selector input is in the form of an external communication device in communication with the generator. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the external communication device is configured to wirelessly communicate with the generator. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus for dissection and coagulation of tissue, comprising:
 an end effector positioned on a distal end of a surgical instrument that is configured to dissect and seal tissue;   a closure switch on the surgical instrument that is configured to control the end effector such that the end effector is opened when the closure switch is in a first positon and the end effector is closed when the closure switch is in a second position;   a generator electrically coupled to the surgical instrument and configured to deliver energy to the end effector; and   a surgical mode selector input having a plurality of surgical modes for selection by a user such that each surgical mode corresponds to an algorithm for controlling the power output from the generator;   wherein the generator is configured to deliver power to the end effector when the end effector is closed around a tissue when the closure switch is in the second position.