Electromechanical surgical device with signal relay arrangement

摘要

A surgical instrument configured to relay a low-power signal from an end effector to a remote device is disclosed. The surgical instrument may comprise a handle, a shaft extending distally from the handle, and an end effector attached to the distal end of the shaft. A sensor may be disposed in the end effector. The sensor may generate a signal indicative of a condition at the end effector. A transmitter may be located in the end effector. The transmitter may transmit the signal from the sensor at a first power level. The signal may be received by a relay station located proximally to the shaft. The relay station is configured to retransmit the signal at a second power level, wherein the second power level is higher than the first power level.

主权项

1. A handheld surgical instrument comprising:
an end effector; a shaft extending proximally from the end effector; a handle located proximal to the shaft; a sensor disposed in the end effector configured to generate a first signal indicative of a condition at the end effector; a transmitter communicatively coupled to the sensor, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the first signal at a first power level suitable for wireless transmission within a distance defined by the handheld surgical instrument; a relay station located intermediate the end effector and a proximal portion of the handle, wherein the relay station is configured to:
receive the first signal from the transmitter, convert the first signal to a second signal indicative of the condition at the end effector, andtransmit the second signal at a second power level to a remote system, wherein the second power level is suitable for transmission over a distance greater than the first power level.