US 12,213,674 B2
Determination of premature staple ejection
Alexander J. Hart, Tolland, CT (US); Charles R. Kollar, Washington, DC (US); James P. Delbo, North Haven, CT (US); Haley E. Strassner, Hamden, CT (US); and Steven H. Joyce, Durham, CT (US)
Assigned to Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Dec. 8, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/545,375.
Prior Publication US 2023/0172609 A1, Jun. 8, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/115 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/11 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/1155 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2017/1132 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical device comprising:
a power source;
a motor coupled to the power source;
a transmission assembly movable by the motor;
a reload, carrying staples, coupled to the transmission assembly; and
a controller configured to perform a stapling operation calibration process when the reload is connected and prior to an intended firing of the staples, during which the controller is configured to:
operate, as part of first portion of the calibration process, the motor to move the transmission assembly distally from a proximal position to a distal position;
subsequent to operating the motor to move the transmission assembly distally, operate, as a second portion of the calibration process, the motor to move the transmission assembly proximally from the distal position until a hard stop is reached;
determine a distance traveled by the transmission assembly during movement from the distal position to the hard stop; and
compare the traveled distance with a threshold distance to determine whether the distal movement of the transmission assembly during the first portion of the calibration process caused one or more of the staples to be prematurely ejected as part of the calibration process.