US 11,911,038 B2
Cut optimization for excessive tissue conditions
Steven H. Joyce, Durham, CT (US); David E. Valentine, Hamden, CT (US); Patrick Mozdzierz, Glastonbury, CT (US); Charles R. Kollar, Washington, DC (US); and Haley Strassner, Hamden, CT (US)
Assigned to COVIDIEN LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed by Covidien LP, Mansfield, MA (US)
Filed on Dec. 14, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/120,659.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/960,202, filed on Jan. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0212693 A1, Jul. 15, 2021
Int. Cl. A61B 17/062 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/115 (2006.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/1155 (2013.01) [A61B 17/32 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a surgical stapler, the method comprising:
advancing an annular knife of a knife assembly at a first velocity until a predetermined force on the knife assembly is detected;
increasing force applied by the annular knife above the predetermined force in response to the annular knife reaching a first position;
determining that the annular knife reached a second position distal of the first position, the distance travelled in reaching the second position corresponding to a minimum cutting stroke;
after the minimum cutting stroke is achieved advancing the annular knife at a second velocity when the force above the predetermined force is detected, the second velocity being less than the first velocity; and
continuing to advance the annular knife at the second velocity until the annular knife travels a cutting stroke distance.