Surgical system for powered instruments

Abstract

A single-motor surgical system for operating a set of different surgical devices having different operational limits, consisting of a handpiece containing the motor and adapted to alternately receive a proximal portion of each of the surgical devices, each device having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes its operational limit, the handpiece including an automatic sensor for sensing the indicator, and controls responsive to the sensor to automatically establish the operational limit of the motor in accordance with the respective surgical device received by the handpiece. In preferred embodiments, the system includes an arthroscopic handpiece as above and has a plurality of surgical devices adapted to receive different removable rotary tips that have different operational limits of rotation, each of the plurality of devices having a vacuum passage connectible at one end to a vacuum passage of the respective rotary tip and adjacent the other end, to a vacuum passage associated with the handpiece, whereby tissue severed by the rotary tip can be removed from the surgical site, the surgical device indicating to the sensor the rotational limits of the tips which the devices are adapted to receive.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A surgical system adapted to operate a set of different surgical devices having different operational limits, comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternately receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices,   said set of surgical devices,   each of said surgical devices having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes its operational limit, .Iadd.said operational limit corresponding to a range of operation of said surgical device, .Iaddend.   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator;   a motor for driving said handpiece.Iadd., said motor having a range of operation that includes a pair of endpoints.Iaddend.; and   means responsive to said sensor .[.to .]. .Iadd.means for .Iaddend.automatically .[.establish the operational limit of said motor.]. .Iadd.changing at least one of said endpoints .Iaddend.in accordance with the .Iadd.operational limit of the .Iaddend.respective surgical device received by said handpiece .Iadd.so that the operating range of said motor corresponds to the range of operation of said surgical device, and precluding selection of said operation of said motor outside of said endpoints but not between said endpoints.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. The surgical system of claim 1 wherein said .[.sensor.]. .Iadd.means for changing .Iaddend.comprises means for limiting the torque applied by the motor. 
     
     
       3. The surgical system of claim 1 wherein said .[.sensor.]. .Iadd.range of operation includes a range of speed of said motor and said means for changing .Iaddend.comprises means for limiting the range of speed of the motor .Iadd.by changing said at least one endpoint. .Iaddend. 
     
     
       4. The surgical system of claim 1 wherein said motor is electrical and has an associated power source, and said sensor means is responsive to said indicator of a given surgical device to .[.establish.]. .Iadd.cause said means for changing to change said at least one endpoint by establishing .Iaddend.a limit on the electrical power delivered by said power source. 
     
     
       5. The surgical system of claim 4 in which said sensor means is responsive to .[.limit.]. .Iadd.said indicator to cause said means for changing to change said at least one endpoint by limiting .Iaddend.the voltage applied to said motor, and said motor is adapted to maintain its speed in accordance with the voltage applied .Iadd.within said endpoints.Iaddend.. 
     
     
       6. The surgical system of claim 4 in which said .[.sensor.]. means .Iadd.for changing .Iaddend.is responsive .Iadd.to said indicator of a given surgical device .Iaddend.to limit the electrical current applied to said motor .Iadd.by said power source .Iaddend.to limit the torque delivered by said motor. 
     
     
       7. .[.The surgical system of claim 1 wherein.]. .Iadd.A surgical system adapted to operate a set of different surgical devices having different operational limits, comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternately receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices,   said set of surgical devices,   each of said surgical devices having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes its operational limit, .Iaddend.said indicator for each of said set of surgical devices .[.comprises.]. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.a magnet means adapted to produce a magnetic field different from that of other surgical devices of said set;   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator;   a motor for driving said handpiece; and   means responsive to said sensor means to automatically establish the operational limit of said motor in accordance with the respective surgical device received by said handpiece, said sensor means .[.in said handpiece.]. being responsive to said magnetic field to switch said motor to the respective operational limit.   
     
     
       8. .[.The surgical system of claim 1 wherein said set of surgical devices include magnets.]. .Iadd.A surgical system adapted to operate a set of different surgical devices having different operational limits, comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternately receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices,   said set of surgical devices;   each of said surgical devices having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes its operational limit, said indicator including at least one magnet .Iaddend.in .[.their.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.proximal .[.portions and.]. .Iadd.portion of each said device;   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator;   a motor for driving said handpiece; and   means responsive to said sensor means to automatically establish the operational limit of said motor in accordance with the respective surgical device received by said handpiece, .Iaddend.said automatic sensor means .[.of said handpiece comprises.]. .Iadd.comprising .Iaddend.a set of switches actuatable by the presence of said magnets to establish the operational limit of said motor.   
     
     
       9. .[.The surgical system of claim 1 wherein.]. .Iadd.A surgical system adapted to operate a set of different surgical devices having different operational limits, comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternately receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices,   said set of surgical devices,   each of said surgical devices having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes its operational limit,   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator;   a motor for driving said handpiece;   means responsive to said sensor means to automatically establish the operational limit of said motor in accordance with the respective surgical device received by said handpiece, .Iaddend.   at least one surgical device of said set .[.comprises.]. .Iadd.comprising.Iaddend., at its distal portion, removable rotary tips that have the operational limits of rotation indicated to said sensor means by that said surgical device, .Iadd.and .Iaddend.   each said surgical device of said set having a vacuum passage connectible at one end to a vacuum passage of a respective rotary tip and, adjacent the other end, to a vacuum passage associated with said handpiece and connected proximally to a source of vacuum,   whereby tissue severed by said rotary tip can be removed from the surgical site.   
     
     
       10. An arthroscopic handpiece for use in a surgical system comprising said handpiece, a set of surgical devices having different operational limits, each surgical device having on its proximal portion an indicator means for denoting its operational limit, and a motor for driving said handpiece; said handpiece comprising automatic sensor means adapted for sensing one of said indicator means denoting the operational limit of a respective surgical device received by said handpiece, said arthroscopic handpiece having means adapted to alternatively receive a proximal portion of said surgical device of the set for operation of the surgical device at its indicated operational limit, and said handpiece also comprising rotation means for rotating a member within the handpiece wherein said member has means adapted to be associated with a respective surgical device, said rotation means adapted to be driven by said motor, said handpiece further comprising means responsive to said automatic sensor means for controlling said rotation means, thereby establishing the operational limit, and   said handpiece adapted for operation of a surgical device comprising, at its distal portion, a rotary tip that has an operational limit of rotation indicated by that surgical device,   each surgical device defining a vacuum passage connectible at one end to a vacuum passage of a respective rotary tip, said arthroscopic handpiece defining a vacuum passage having means adapted for connection to the vacuum passage of the surgical device and for connection proximally to a source of vacuum for removal of tissue severed by operation of the rotary tip from the surgical site through the vacuum passage of said handpiece. .Iadd.   
     
     
       11.  A surgical device adapted for use in the surgical system of claim 1, said surgical device having said indicator on its proximal portion that denotes an operational limit of said surgical device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. The surgical device of claim 11 wherein said surgical device is one of said set of surgical devices, said indicator on said surgical device being different from the indicator on the proximal portions of the other 
     
     
        surgical devices in said set. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13.  A surgical device adapted for use in a surgical system which operates a set of different surgical devices having different operational limits and that includes said surgical device, said surgical system comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternately receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices; said set of surgical devices; and a motor for driving said handpiece, said surgical device including an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes its operational limit, said indicator being different from indicators disposed on the proximal portions of the other surgical devices in said set and including a magnet means for producing a magnetic field different from magnetic fields produced by said indicators of said other surgical devices;   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator of the surgical device received by said handpiece;   said surgical system further including means responsive to said sensor means to automatically establish the operational limit of said motor in accordance with the respective surgical device received by said handpiece.   
     
     
        .Iadd.14.  A surgical system adapted to operate a set of different surgical devices, each surgical device having at least one operational limit, comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternatively receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices;   said set of surgical devices, each of said surgical devices having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes the at least one operational limit of said device said operational limit corresponding to a range of operation of said surgical device,   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator;     means for operating said handpiece, said means for operating having a range of operation that includes a pair of endpoints; and   means responsive to said sensor means for automatically changing at least one of said endpoints in accordance with said at least one operational limit of the respective surgical device received by said handpiece and precluding selection of said operation of said operating means outside of   
     
     
        said endpoints but not between said endpoints. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15.  The surgical system of claim 14 wherein said means for operating includes a motor for driving said handpiece, and said means for changing control the operation of said motor in response to said sensor means in accordance 
     
     
        with the at least one operational limit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16.  The surgical system of claim 15 wherein said means for changing controls the operation of said motor in response to said sensor means to establish the at least 
     
     
        one operational limit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.17.  The surgical system of claim 15 wherein said means for changing comprises means for limiting the range of speed of the motor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. The surgical system of claim 15 wherein said motor is electrical and has an associated power source, and said sensor means is responsive to said indicator of a given surgical device to cause said means for changing to establish a limit on the 
     
     
        electrical power delivered by said power source. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19.  The surgical system of claim 18 in which said sensor means is responsive to said indicator to cause said means for changing to limit the voltage applied to said motor and said motor is adapted to maintain its speed in 
     
     
        accordance with the voltage applied. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20.  The surgical system of claim 18 in which said sensor means is responsive to limit the electrical current applied to said motor to limit the torque delivered by 
     
     
        said motor. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21.  The surgical system of claim 14 wherein said indicator for each of said set of surgical devices comprises magnet means for producing a magnetic field different from that of other surgical devices of said set, said sensor means in sand handpiece being responsive to said magnetic field to establish the at least one operational limit. 
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.22.  The surgical system of claim 1 or 14 wherein each of said surgical devices comprises an arthroscopic surgical instrument operated by said handpiece by said motor to sever tissue at a surgical 
     
     
        site in the body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23.  The system of claim 1 or 14 wherein said means for changing changes both of said endpoints. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. The system of claim 1 or 14 wherein said means for changing 
     
     
        changes one of said endpoints. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25.  A surgical system adapted to operate a set of different surgical devices, each surgical device having at least one operational limit, comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternatively receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices;   said set of surgical devices, each of said surgical devices having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes the at least one operational limit of said device;   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator;   a motor for driving said handpiece; and   means responsive to said sensor means to automatically establish said at least one operational limit of the respective surgical device received by said handpiece;   wherein said surgical devices include magnets in their proximal portions and said automatic sensor means of said handpiece comprises a set of switches actuatable by the presence of said magnets to establish the at   
     
     
        least one operational limit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26.  A surgical system adapted to operate a set of different surgical devices, each surgical device having at least one operational limit, comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternatively receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices;   said set of surgical devices, each of said surgical devices having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes the at least one operational limit of said device;   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator;   a motor for driving said handpiece; and   means responsive to said sensor means to automatically establish said at least one operational limit of the respective surgical device received by said handpiece;   wherein at least one surgical device of said set comprises rotary tips that have operational limits of rotation, said operational limits of rotating being indicated to said sensor means by that said surgical device,   each said surgical device of said set having a vacuum passage connectible at one end to a vacuum passage of a respective rotary tip and, adjacent the other end, to a vacuum passage associated with said handpiece and connected proximally to a source of vacuum,   whereby tissue severed by said rotary tip can be removed from the surgical   
     
     
        site. .Iaddend. .Iadd.27.  A surgical system adapted to operate a set of different surgical devices having different operational limits, comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternately receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices,   said set of surgical devices,   each of said surgical devices having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes its operational limit,   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator;   a motor for driving said handpiece; and   means responsive to said sensor means to automatically establish the operational limit of said motor in accordance with the respective surgical device received by said handpiece;   said indicator for each of said set of surgical devices comprises at least one magnet disposed at said proximal portion for producing a magnetic signal different from that of other surgical devices of said set,   said automatic sensor means comprises at least one switch disposed in a distal end of said handpiece and responsive to said magnetic signal to establish the at least one operational limit, and   said proximal portion of each of said surgical devices and said distal end of said handpiece are sufficiently sealed to permit sterilization of each of said set of surgical devices and said handpiece to be performed.   
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.28.  The surgical system of claim 27 wherein said proximal portion of each of said surgical devices and said distal end of said handpiece are sealed sufficiently to permit sterilization by autoclaving. 
     
     
        .Iaddend. .Iadd.29.  A surgical device adapted for use in a surgical system, said surgical system comprising: a handpiece adapted to receive a proximal portion of said surgical device; and means for operating said handpiece, said means for operating having a range of operation that includes a pair of endpoints, said surgical device having at least one operational limit and including an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes said at least one operational limit said operational limit corresponding to a range of operation of said surgical device,   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator, and said surgical system further comprising means for automatically changing at least one of said endpoints in accordance with the operational limit of the respective surgical device received by said handpiece in response to said sensor means so that the operating range of said means for operating corresponds to the range of operation of said surgical device, and precluding selection of said operation of said operating means outside of said endpoints but not between said endpoints. .Iaddend.   
     
     
        .Iadd. 0.  The surgical device of claim 29 wherein said means for operating includes a motor for driving said handpiece, and said means for changes controls the operation of said motor in response to said sensor in accordance with said at least one operational limit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.31. The surgical device of claim 29 wherein said surgical device comprises a surgical instrument that has the at least one operational limit indicated 
     
     
        to said sensor means by said surgical device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.32.  The surgical device of claim 31 wherein said surgical instrument and said 
     
     
        surgical device comprise an integral unit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.33.  The surgical device of claim 29 wherein said surgical system further comprises a set of different surgical devices that includes said surgical device, each surgical device in said set having at least one operational limit and having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes the at least one operational limit of said device, said handpiece being adapted to alternatively receive the proximal portion of each of said surgical 
     
     
        devices. .Iaddend. .Iadd.34.  The surgical device of claim 33 wherein said means for operating includes a motor for driving said handpiece, and said means for changing controls the operation of said motor in response to said sensor means in accordance with the at least one operational limit of 
     
     
        the device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.35.  The surgical device of claim 33 wherein each one of said set of surgical devices comprises a surgical instrument that has the at least one operational limit indicated to said sensor means by said surgical device. .Iaddend. .Iadd.36. The surgical device of claim 35 wherein said surgical instrument and said surgical device comprise an 
     
     
        integral unit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.37.  The surgical device of claim 33, 34, 35, or 36 wherein said indicator for each of said set of surgical devices comprises a magnet means adapted to produce a magnetic field different from that of other surgical devices of said set, said sensor means in said handpiece being responsive to said magnetic field to cause said means for changing to change said at least one endpoint in accordance with the respective at least one operational limit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.38. The surgical device of claim 33 wherein said means for operating includes a motor for driving said handpiece, and each of said surgical devices comprises an arthroscopic surgical instrument adapted to be actuated by said motor to sever tissue at a surgical site in the body. .Iaddend. .Iadd.39. The surgical device of claim 38 wherein said indicator for each of said set of surgical devices comprises magnet means for producing a magnetic field different from that of other surgical devices of said set, said sensor means in said handpiece being responsive to said magnetic field to cause said means for changing to change said at least one endpoint in accordance with the respective at least one operational limit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.40. The surgical device of claim 39 wherein said means for changes controls the operation of said motor in response to said sensor means to establish said at least one operational limit. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.     The surgical device of claim 40 wherein said means for changing comprises means for limiting the range of speed and torque applied by said motor to said arthroscopic surgical instrument. .Iaddend. .Iadd.42. The surgical device of claim 4 wherein said arthroscopic surgical instrument 
     
     
        and said surgical device comprise an integral unit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.43.  A surgical system adapted to operate a set of different surgical devices having different operational limits, comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternately receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices;   said set of surgical devices, each of said surgical devices comprising an arthroscopic surgical instrument adapted to be actuated by a motor to sever tissue at a surgical site in the body, each of said surgical devices having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes its operational limit;   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator;   a motor for driving said handpiece;   means responsive to said sensor means to automatically establish the operational limit of said motor in accordance with the respective surgical device received by said handpiece; and   wherein said indicator for each of said set of surgical devices comprises magnet means for producing a magnetic field different from that of other surgical devices of said set, said sensor means in said handpiece being responsive to said magnetic field to establish the respective at least one   
     
     
        operational limit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.44.  The surgical system of claim 43 wherein said means for establishing controls the operation of said motor in response to said sensor means to establish said at least one 
     
     
        operational limit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.45.  The surgical system of claim 44 wherein said sensor means comprises means for limiting the range of speed and torque applied by said motor to said arthroscopic surgical instrument. .Iaddend. .Iadd.46. The surgical system of claim 45 wherein said arthroscopic surgical instrument and said surgical device comprise an 
     
     
        integral unit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.47.  A surgical system adapted to operate a set of different surgical devices, each surgical device having at least one operational limit, comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternatively receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices;   said set of surgical devices, each of said surgical devices having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes the at least one operational limit of said device;   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator;   a motor for driving said handpiece;   means responsive to said sensor means to automatically establish said at least one operational limit of the respective surgical device received by said handpiece;   said indicator for each of said set of surgical devices comprising at least one magnet disposed at said proximal portion for producing a magnetic signal different from that of other surgical devices of said set;   said automatic sensor means comprising at least one switch disposed in a distal end of said handpiece and responsive to said magnetic signal to establish the at least one operational limit; and   said proximal portion of each of said set of surgical devices and said distal end of said handpiece being sufficiently sealed to permit sterilization of each of said set of surgical devices and said handpiece   
     
     
        to be performed. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48.  The surgical system of claim 47 wherein said proximal portion of each of said surgical devices and said distal end of said handpiece are sealed sufficiently to permit 
     
     
        sterilization by autoclaving. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49.  A surgical system adapted to operate a set of different surgical devices, each surgical device having at least one operational limit, comprising: a handpiece adapted to alternatively receive a proximal portion of each of said surgical devices;   said set of surgical devices, each of said surgical devices comprising an arthroscopic surgical instrument adapted to be actuated by a motor to sever tissue at a surgical site in the body, each of said surgical devices having an indicator on its proximal portion that denotes the at least one operational limit of said device;   said handpiece including automatic sensor means for sensing said indicator;   a motor for driving said handpiece;   means responsive to said sensor means to automatically establish said at least one operational limit of the respective surgical device received by said handpiece; and   wherein said indicator for each of said set of surgical devices comprises magnet means adapted to produce a magnetic field different from that of other surgical devices of said set, said sensor means in said handpiece being responsive to said magnetic field to establish the respective at least one operational limit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. The surgical system of claim 49 wherein said means for establishing controls the operation of said motor in response to said sensor means to establish said at least one operational limit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.51. The surgical system of claim 50 wherein said sensor means comprises means for limiting the range of speed and torque applied by motor to said arthroscopic surgical instrument. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52. The surgical system of claim 50 wherein said arthroscopic surgical instrument and said surgical device comprise an   
     
     
        integral unit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.53.  A surgical device for use in a surgical system of the kind that includes a handpiece for receiving a proximal end of said surgical device, said handpiece having a motor that has a range of operation for driving said surgical device in response to a controller, said surgical device comprising at least one indicator disposed on said proximal end to indicate a portion of said range in which said motor should drive said surgical device, said at least one indicator being positioned to be detected by a sensor on said handpiece, said controller being adapted to respond to the detection of said at least one indicator by said sensor by limiting operation of said motor to said indicated portion of said range so that said surgical device is permitted to operate within said portion of said range but not outside of said portion of said range. .Iaddend. .Iadd.54. The surgical device of claim 53 wherein said portion of said range comprises less than all of said range. .Iaddend. .Iadd.55. The surgical device of claim 53 wherein said at least one indicator includes a magnet. .Iaddend. .Iadd.56. The surgical device of claim 53 wherein said sensor includes at least one switch positioned to be actuated by said magnet when said device is received by said handpiece. .Iaddend. .Iadd.57. The surgical device of claim 53 wherein said device includes an instrument disposed at a distal end of said device and driven by said motor to cut tissue. .Iaddend. .Iadd.58. The surgical device of claim 57 wherein said motor is adapted to rotate a portion of said instrument. .Iaddend. .Iadd.59. The surgical device of claim 57 wherein said device and said instrument comprise an integral unit. .Iaddend. .Iadd.60. The device of claim 53 wherein said device is adapted to removably receive an instrument at a distal end of said device, and to couple said instrument to said motor when said device is received by said handpiece so that said motor drives said instrument to cut tissue. .Iaddend. .Iadd.61. The surgical device of claim 53 wherein said range of operation includes a speed range. .Iaddend. .Iadd.62. The surgical device of claim 53 wherein said range of operation includes a torque range. .Iaddend.