System and method for non-contact electronic articulation sensing

摘要

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes a handle portion, a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis and an articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a proximal end. The articulating tool assembly is disposed at a distal end of the body portion and is movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis. The instrument also includes an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly, the articulation mechanism including an articulation sensor assembly configured to transmit a sensor signal to a microcontroller which is configured to determine an articulation angle of the articulation assembly.

主权项

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a handle portion; a body portion extending distally from the handle portion and defining a first longitudinal axis; an articulating tool assembly defining a second longitudinal axis and having a proximal end, the articulating tool assembly disposed at a distal end of the body portion and being movable from a first position in which the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position in which the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle with respect to the first longitudinal axis; and an articulation mechanism configured to articulate the articulating tool assembly, wherein the articulation mechanism includes: a housing block configured to receive an articulation spindle rotatably housed therein; an articulation link operatively coupled to the articulation spindle; an articulation knob coupled to the articulation spindle for rotating the articulation spindle, wherein rotational motion of the articulation knob is translated into axial motion of the articulation link thereby articulating the articulating tool assembly; and an articulation sensor assembly configured to transmit a sensor signal to a microcontroller which is configured to determine the angle of the articulating tool assembly, wherein the articulation sensor assembly includes a photo sensor that is disposed in spaced relation to the articulation link, the photo sensor configured to illuminate the articulation link and to measure a light reflected from the articulation link and transmit the sensor signal corresponding to the measured reflected light to the microcontroller, wherein the microcontroller is configured to determine the angle as a function of a displacement of the articulation link based on the measured reflected light.