US 12,004,740 B2
Surgical stapling system having an information decryption protocol
Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US); Jason L Harris, Lebanon, OH (US); and Gregory J. Bakos, Mason, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Jun. 30, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/458,105.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/868,457, filed on Jun. 28, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2020/0405302 A1, Dec. 31, 2020
Int. Cl. A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/072 (2013.01) [A61B 2017/00982 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0688 (2013.01); A61B 2560/0443 (2013.01); A61B 2560/0462 (2013.01); A61B 2562/08 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical system, comprising:
a surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongate shaft; and
an end effector extending from said elongate shaft, wherein said end effector comprises:
a first jaw; and
a second jaw;
a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in said first jaw, wherein said replaceable staple cartridge is stored in a packaging prior to being seated in said first jaw, wherein said packaging comprises a first RFID tag, wherein said first RFID tag comprises a first set of encrypted information, and wherein said replaceable staple cartridge comprises:
a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck;
staples removably stored in said cartridge body;
a sled configured to drive said staples out of said cartridge body during a staple firing stroke; and
a second RFID tag comprising a second set of encrypted information;
a retainer releasably attached to said replaceable staple cartridge, wherein said retainer extends over said cartridge deck, and wherein said retainer comprises a third RFID tag comprising a third set of encrypted information;
an RFID scanner configured to receive said first set of encrypted information, said second set of encrypted information, and said third set of encrypted information; and
a controller in signal communication with said RFID scanner and configured to perform a decryption protocol, wherein said controller comprises a first internal key, wherein said controller uses said first internal key to decrypt said first set of encrypted information, wherein said controller releases a second internal key only if said first set of encrypted information is recognized by said controller, wherein said controller uses said second internal key to decrypt said second set of encrypted information, wherein said controller releases a third internal key only if said second set of encrypted information is recognized by said controller, wherein said controller uses said third internal key to decrypt said third set of encrypted information, and wherein said controller prevents said surgical instrument from performing the staple firing stroke if at least one of said first set of encrypted information, said second set of encrypted information, and said third set of encrypted information is unable to be recognized.