SELECTIVE ACTIVATION OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS IN MEDICAL DEVICE

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/410,603, filed Nov. 5, 2010, entitled “Energy-Based Surgical Instruments,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/487,846, filed May 19, 2011, entitled “Energy-Based Surgical Instruments,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] In some settings, endoscopic surgical instruments may be preferred over traditional open surgical instruments since a smaller incision may reduce the post-operative recovery time and complications. Consequently, some endoscopic surgical instruments may be suitable for placement of a distal end effector at a desired surgical site through a cannula of a trocar. These distal end effectors may engage tissue in a number of ways to achieve a diagnostic or therapeutic effect (e.g., endocutter, grasper, cutter, stapler, clip applier, access device, drug/gene therapy delivery device, and energy delivery device using ultrasound, RF, laser, etc.). Endoscopic surgical instruments may include a shaft between the end effector and a handle portion, which is manipulated by the clinician. Such a shaft may enable insertion to a desired depth and rotation about the longitudinal axis of the shaft, thereby facilitating positioning of the end effector within the patient.

[0003] Examples of endoscopic surgical instruments include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2006/0079874, entitled “Tissue Pad Use with an Ultrasonic Surgical Instrument,” published Apr. 13, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2007/0191713, entitled “Ultrasonic Device for Cutting and Coagulating,” published Aug. 16, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2007/0282333, entitled “Ultrasonic Waveguide and Blade,” published Dec. 6, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2008/0200940, entitled “Ultrasonic Device for Cutting and Coagulating,” published Aug. 21, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2011/0015660, entitled “Rotating Transducer Mount for Ultrasonic Surgical Instruments,” published Jan. 20, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,176, entitled “Electrosurgical Systems and Techniques for Sealing Tissue,” issued Dec. 31, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; and U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2011/0087218, entitled “Surgical Instrument Comprising First and Second Drive Systems Actuatable by a Common Trigger Mechanism,” published Apr. 14, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. Additionally, such surgical tools may include a cordless transducer such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2009/0143797, entitled “Cordless Hand-held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device,” published Jun. 4, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. In addition, the surgical instruments may be used, or adapted for use, in robotic-assisted surgery settings such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,524, entitled “Robotic Surgical Tool with Ultrasound Cauterizing and Cutting Instrument,” issued Aug. 31, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0004] While several systems and methods have been made and used for surgical instruments, it is believed that no one prior to the inventors has made or used the invention described in the appended claims.

[0019] The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

[0020] The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. For example, while various. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

[0021] It will be appreciated that the terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician gripping a handpiece assembly. Thus, an end effector is distal with respect to the more proximal handpiece assembly. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “top” and “bottom” also are used herein with respect to the clinician gripping the handpiece assembly. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and absolute.

[0022] I. Medical Devices for Use With Insertable or Reclaimable Components

[0023] FIG. 1 shows components of an exemplary medical device (10) in diagrammatic block form. As shown, medical device (10) comprises a control module (12), a power source (14), and an end effector (16). Merely exemplary power sources (14) may include NiMH batteries, Li-ion batteries (e.g., prismatic cell type lithium ion batteries, etc.), Ni-Cad batteries, or any other type of power source as may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings herein. Control module (12) may comprise a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), memory, a printed circuit board (PCB), a storage device (such as a solid state drive or hard disk), firmware, software, or any other suitable control module components as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings herein. Control module (12) and power source (14) are coupled by an electrical connection (22), such as a cable and/or traces in a circuit board, etc., to transfer power from power source (14) to control module (12). Alternatively, power source (14) may be selectively coupled to control module (12). This allows power source (14) to be detached and removed from medical device (10), which may further allow power source (14) to be readily recharged or reclaimed for resterilization and reuse, such as in accordance with the various teachings herein. In addition or in the alternative, control module (12) may be removed for servicing, testing, replacement, or any other purpose as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

[0024] End effector (16) is coupled to control module (12) by another electrical connection (22). End effector (16) is configured to perform a desired function of medical device (10). By way of example only, such function may include cauterizing tissue, ablating tissue, severing tissue, ultrasonically vibrating, stapling tissue, or any other desired task for medical device (10). End effector (16) may thus include an active feature such as an ultrasonic blade, a pair of clamping jaws, a sharp knife, a staple driving assembly, a monopolar RF electrode, a pair of bipolar RF electrodes, a thermal heating element, and/or various other components. End effector (16) may also be removable from medical device (10) for servicing, testing, replacement, or any other purpose as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. In some versions, end effector (16) is modular such that medical device (10) may be used with different kinds of end effectors (e.g., as taught in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/410,603, etc.). Various other configurations of end effector (16) may be provided for a variety of different functions depending upon the purpose of medical device (10) as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Similarly, other types of components of a medical device (10) that may receive power from power source (14) will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

[0025] Medical device (10) of the present example includes a trigger (18) and a sensor (20), though it should be understood that such components are merely optional. Trigger (18) is coupled to control module (12) and power source (14) by electrical connection (22). Trigger (18) may be configured to selectively provide power from power source (14) to end effector (16) (and/or to some other component of medical device (10)) to activate medical device (10) when performing a procedure. Sensor (20) is also coupled to control module (12) by an electrical connection (22) and may be configured to provide a variety of information to control module (12) during a procedure. By way of example only, such configurations may include sensing a temperature at end effector (16) or determining the oscillation rate of end effector (16). Data from sensor (20) may be processed by control module (12) to effect the delivery of power to end effector (16) (e.g., in a feedback loop, etc.). Various other configurations of sensor (20) may be provided depending upon the purpose of medical device (10) as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Of course, as with other components described herein, medical device (10) may have more than one sensor (20), or sensor (20) may simply be omitted if desired.

[0026] FIG. 2 depicts a merely exemplary form that medical device (10) may take. In particular, FIG. 2 shows a medical device (100) comprising a power source (110), a control module (120), a housing (130), end effector (140), and an electrical connection (150). In the present example, power source (110) is located internally within housing (130) of medical device (100). Alternatively, power source (110) may only partially extend into housing (130) and may be selectively attachable to a portion of housing (130). In yet a further exemplary configuration, a portion of housing (130) may extend into power source (110) and power source (110) may be selectively attachable to the portion of housing (130). Power source (110) may also be configured to detach from medical device (100) and decouple from control module (120) or electrical connection (150). As a result, power source (110) may be completely separated from medical device (100) in some versions. By way of example only, power source (110) may be constructed in accordance with the teachings of U.S. Pub. No. 2011/0087212, entitled “Surgical Generator for Ultrasonic and Electrosurgical Devices,” published Apr. 14, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. In some versions, power source (110) may be removed to be recharged or reclaimed for resterilization and reuse, such as in accordance with various teachings herein. After recharging, or after an initial charge, power source (110) may be inserted or reinserted into medical device (100) and secured to housing (130) or internally within housing (130). Of course, medical device (100) may also allow power source (110) to be charged and/or recharged while power source (110) is still in or otherwise coupled relative to housing (130).

[0027] It should also be understood that control module (120) may be removed for servicing, testing, replacement, or any other purpose as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Further, end effector (140) may also be removable from medical device (100) for servicing, testing, replacement, or any other purpose as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

[0028] While certain configurations of an exemplary medical device (100) have been described, various other ways in which medical device (100) may be configured will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. By way of example only, medical devices (10, 100) and/or any other medical device referred to herein may be constructed in accordance with at least some of the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,055 entitled “Clamp Coagulator/Cutting System for Ultrasonic Surgical Instruments,” issued Jun. 21, 1994, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,873 entitled “Ultrasonic Clamp Coagulator Apparatus Having Improved Clamp Mechanism,” issued Feb. 23, 1999, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,510, entitled “Ultrasonic Clamp Coagulator Apparatus Having Improved Clamp Arm Pivot Mount,” filed Oct. 10, 1997, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,811 entitled “Blades with Functional Balance Asymmetries for use with Ultrasonic Surgical Instruments,” issued Dec. 4, 2001, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2006/0079874 entitled “Tissue Pad for Use with an Ultrasonic Surgical Instrument,” published Apr. 13, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0191713 entitled “Ultrasonic Device for Cutting and Coagulating,” published Aug. 16, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0282333 entitled “Ultrasonic Waveguide and Blade,” published Dec. 6, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2008/0200940 entitled “Ultrasonic Device for Cutting and Coagulating,” published Aug. 21, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2009/0143797, entitled “Cordless Hand-held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device,” published Jun. 4, 2009, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2010/0069940 entitled “Ultrasonic Device for Fingertip Control,” published Mar. 18, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2011/0015660, entitled “Rotating Transducer Mount for Ultrasonic Surgical Instruments,” published Jan. 20, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; and/or U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/410,603, filed Nov. 5, 2010, entitled “Energy-Based Surgical Instruments,” the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0029] Of course, housing (130) and medical device (100) may include other configurations. For instance, housing (130) and/or medical device (100) may include a tissue cutting element and one or more elements that transmit bipolar RF energy to tissue (e.g., to coagulate or seal the tissue). An example of such a device is the ENSEAL® Tissue Sealing Device by Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., of Cincinnati, Ohio. Further examples of such devices and related concepts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,176 entitled “Electrosurgical Systems and Techniques for Sealing Tissue,” issued Dec. 31, 2002, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,112,201, entitled “Electrosurgical Instrument and Method of Use,” issued Sep. 26, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,125,409, entitled “Electrosurgical Working End for Controlled Energy Delivery,” issued Oct. 24, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,169,146 entitled “Electrosurgical Probe and Method of Use,” issued Jan. 30, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,186,253, entitled “Electrosurgical Jaw Structure for Controlled Energy Delivery,” issued Mar. 6, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,233, entitled “Electrosurgical Instrument,” issued Mar. 13, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,220,951, entitled “Surgical Sealing Surfaces and Methods of Use,” issued May 22, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,309,849, entitled “Polymer Compositions Exhibiting a PTC Property and Methods of Fabrication,” issued Dec. 18, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,311,709, entitled “Electrosurgical Instrument and Method of Use,” issued Dec. 25, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,354,440, entitled “Electrosurgical Instrument and Method of Use,” issued Apr. 8, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,209, entitled “Electrosurgical Instrument,” issued Jun. 3, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; U.S. Pub. No. 2011/0087218, entitled “Surgical Instrument Comprising First and Second Drive Systems Actuatable by a Common Trigger Mechanism,” published Apr. 14, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/151,181, entitled “Motor Driven Electrosurgical Device with Mechanical and Electrical Feedback,” filed Jun. 2, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0030] It is further understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The following-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

[0031] II. Exemplary Power Delivery Switches

[0032] It will be appreciated that in some cases, surgical instrument (50) may be operable in a tether-less mode where an internal power source is used to power surgical instrument (50) rather than plugging surgical instrument (50) into a wall outlet or other external power source. It will also be appreciated that even if surgical instrument (50) is plugged into an outlet, an internal power source may still be used to supplement the externally provided power. It will further be appreciated that an internal power source may lose power or charge simply by being connected to a circuit or other electronics components within surgical instrument (50). Thus, it will be understood that it may be desirable to prevent an internal power source from being connected to a circuit or other electronics prior to actual use of surgical instrument (50) in a surgical operation. Various examples described below include features that reduce the time that a power source is connected to a circuit before use of a surgical instrument in a procedure. It should be understood that the below teachings may be readily incorporated into the various medical devices (10, 100) described above.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary surgical instrument (300) with a transmission assembly (310) to be connected to surgical instrument (300). Surgical instrument (300) comprises a handle assembly (320) having an internal power source (322) contained therein, as shown in FIG. 4. In the present example, internal power source (322) comprises a battery, but in other exemplary versions, internal power source (322) may comprise a rechargeable battery, fuel cell, super capacitor, or any other suitable power source as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

[0034] An end effector (not shown) is positioned at the distal end of transmission assembly (310). The end effector may include a harmonic blade, RF electrosurgical electrodes, and/or various other components that may be activated by power source (322). Transmission assembly (310) further comprises a magnet (312) positioned on the outer surface of the proximal end of transmission assembly (310). Magnet (312) is further positioned such that once transmission assembly (310) is placed in communication with opening (328), magnet (312) extends proximally into handle assembly (320).

[0035] In addition to internal power source (322), handle assembly (320) comprises a switch (326) and control board (324) where switch (326) and control board (324) are in communication with internal power source (322). Switch (326) is located at the distal end of handle assembly (320) such that when transmission assembly (310) is inserted into opening (328), magnet (312) is operable to establish communication with switch (326).

[0036] Control board (324) may comprise various electronics and/or circuits operable to control the operation of surgical device (300). It will be appreciated that control board (324) may be operable to control any suitable functionality of surgical device (300) as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. In some other exemplary versions, it will be appreciated that control board (324) may comprise a timeout timer operable to detect activity of control board (324). In the event that activity in control board (324) is not detected for a predetermined period of time, the timeout timer of control board (324) is operable to effectively shut down control board (324), thereby preventing further drawing of power from internal power source (322). Attempts by the user to once again use surgical device (300) awaken control board (324) and surgical device (300) such that surgical device (300) may be used again.

[0037] Switch (326) in the exemplary versions comprises a magnetic switch switchable between a triggered and an untriggered state. In the untriggered state, switch (326) creates an open circuit, thereby preventing power from being delivered from internal power source (322) to control board (324). In the triggered state, switch (326) closes the circuit causing power to be delivered from power source (322) to control board (324). In the exemplary version, since switch (326) comprises a magnetically trigger-able switch (326), such as a reed switch, switch (326) is triggered by magnet (312) being inserted through opening (328) and triggering switch (326). In other exemplary versions, switch (326) may comprise a light/optically triggered switch or a mechanically triggered switch. As a result of using switch (326) and magnet (312), it will be appreciated that surgical instrument (300) is not effectively powered or in an “on” state until magnet (312) triggers switch (326). Thus, surgical instrument (300) is not effectively powered on until transmission assembly (310) is fully coupled with handle assembly (320). While the present example shows magnet (312) coupled with transmission assembly (310) and switch (326) coupled with handle assembly (320), it will be appreciated that magnet (312) and switch (326) may reverse their positioning such that magnet (312) is coupled with handle assembly (320) and switch (326) is coupled with transmission assembly (310). Other suitable configuration will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. By way of example only, switch (326) may comprise a simple electromechanical push switch that is positioned in the path of an inserted transmission assembly (310). Furthermore, other devices such as coils and/or electromagnets may be used to trigger switch (326). Indeed, any suitable device may be used to trigger switch (326) as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

[0038] FIGS. 5-7 show an exemplary alternative version of surgical device (400) involving a rotating transmission assembly (410) configuration. A transmission assembly (410) is shown in FIG. 5 inserted into opening (428). Transmission assembly (410) includes a magnet (412) operable to trigger switch (426) by coming in contact and/or close proximity with switch (426). In FIG. 5, transmission assembly (410) has been rotated such that magnet (412) does not trigger switch (426). In some exemplary versions, the configuration shown in FIG. 5 may be the default positional relationship between transmission assembly (410) and switch (426). When the user wishes to use surgical instrument (300), then the user may rotate transmission assembly (410) such that magnet (412) and switch (426) are aligned. It will be appreciated that the rotation of transmission assembly (410) may trigger a mechanical snap or other audible indicator to indicate that transmission assembly (410) has been aligned properly to trigger switch (426) with magnet (412). For instance, transmission assembly (410) and handle assembly (420) may include complementary detent features. It should also be understood that transmission assembly (410) and handle assembly (420) may be coupled through a bayonet mount, such that transmission assembly (410) is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 6 when the bayonet mount is fully seated. In some exemplary versions, as seen in FIG. 7, a secondary switch (430) may be used in communication with switch (426). Secondary switch (430) comprises a permanent switch operable to be triggered by switch (426). It will be appreciated that secondary switch (430) is also operable to close a circuit to power surgical instrument (400). Surgical instrument (400) comprises a power source (431) in communication with switch (426), secondary switch (430), and transmission assembly (410) such that if either switch (426) or secondary switch (430) are closed, power source (431) may transmit power to transmission assembly (410) to ultimately deliver energy or ultrasonic vibrations to an end effector (not shown) at the distal end of transmission assembly (410). As a result, when secondary switch (430) is triggered, even if magnet (412) and switch (426) are no longer aligned, surgical instrument (400) remains powered.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows another exemplary version of a surgical instrument (500) having a transmission assembly (510) connected to a handle assembly (520). Handle assembly (520) houses a trigger (532) and control board (524). A magnet (512) is attached to a proximal portion of trigger (532) such that when trigger (532) is actuated by a user as shown in FIG. 9, magnet (512) comes into contact with switch (526) in communication with control board (524). Surgical instrument (500) remains in an unpowered state until switch (526) is triggered by the user. Thus, when the user is ready to use surgical instrument (500), the user may squeeze trigger (532), thereby causing switch (526) to be closed. Surgical instrument (500) comprises a power source (531) in communication with switch (526) and transmission assembly (510) such that if switch (426) is closed, power source (531) may transmit power to transmission assembly (510) to ultimately deliver energy or ultrasonic vibrations to an end effector (not shown) at the distal end of transmission assembly (510). In the present example, switch (526) comprises a reed switch, though it should be understood that any suitable type of switch may be used as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will be appreciated that in some exemplary versions, trigger (532) may be squeezed through a packaging holding surgical instrument (500) prior to removal of instrument (500) from the packaging, thereby allowing user to verify that surgical instrument (500) is in proper working condition prior to removing surgical instrument (500) from packaging and using surgical instrument (500) in a surgical procedure.

[0040] FIG. 10 shows yet another exemplary version of surgical instrument (600) having a transmission assembly (610) and a handle assembly (620). Surgical instrument (600) further comprises a pull tab (632) removably coupled with handle assembly (620). Pull tab (632) comprises an electrically isolated material and is in communication with control board (624). Since pull tab (632) comprises an electrically isolated material, it will be appreciated that pull tab (632) is operable to create an open circuit within control board (624) thereby rendering control board (624) as well as surgical instrument (600) in an unpowered state. Pull tab (632) extends externally outward from surgical instrument (600) such that a user can remove pull tab (632) thereby removing pull tab (632) from control board (624). As a result, the electrically isolated material is removed such that the open circuit in control board (624) becomes closed, thereby causing control board (624) to be powered for operation by power source (631). For instance, a resiliently biased contact associated with control board (264) may bear against pull tab (632), such that the contact engages a complementary contact to complete the circuit once pull tab (632) is removed. In some exemplary versions, pull tab (632) may be integrated to be part of a packaging material storing surgical instrument (600) such that pull tab (632) is removed when surgical instrument (600) is removed from packaging. Once pull tab (632) is removed, power source (631) may deliver power to transmission assembly (610) to deliver energy or ultrasonic vibrations to an end effector (not shown) located at the distal end of transmission assembly (610).

[0041] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary alternative version of surgical instrument (700) having a transmission assembly (710) and a handle assembly (720). In this example, handle assembly (720) further comprises a user activated button (732). Button (732) is in communication with a control board (724). Control board (724) is in communication with an internal power source (722) operable to power control board (724). Button (732) is operable to act as a switch to wake up surgical instrument (700) such that internal power source (722) can deliver power to control board (724). Thus, when the user is ready to use surgical instrument (700), the user may press button (732) to complete the circuit and begin delivery of power from internal power source (722) to transmission assembly (710) where transmission assembly (710) then delivers ultrasonic vibrations or energy to an end effector (not shown) at the distal end of transmission assembly (710). Button (732) has a shape large enough such that button (732) may be actuated through packaging or other similar material. While the exemplary version comprises a button (732) configuration, it will be appreciated that button (732) may comprise any component that may be actuated such as a toggle switch, a sliding switch, or any other suitable switch as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

[0042] FIG. 12 shows another exemplary alternative version of a surgical instrument (800) having a transmission assembly (810) and a handle assembly (820). In this example, handle assembly (820) comprises a control board (824) in communication with an internal power source (822). A trigger button (832) is positioned to be in communication with control board (824) and internal power source (822). In this example, trigger button (832) is operable to selectively establish electrical communication between control board (824) and internal power source (822). Trigger button (832) may be moveable between an actuated and an unactuated state where trigger button (832) is biased to be in an unactuated state. When user presses trigger button (832), trigger button (832) moves to an actuated state. When in an actuated state, internal power source (822) is connected to control board (824) such that control board (824) is operable to deliver power from power source (822) to transmission assembly (810) where transmission assembly (810) can then deliver ultrasonic vibrations or energy to an end effector (not shown) positioned at the distal end of transmission assembly (810). In the event that the user releases trigger button (832), then the connection between internal power source (822) and control board (824) is broken. In some exemplary versions trigger button (832) may be operable to act as a toggle where a single press connects internal power source (822) to control board (824) and maintains that connection even after trigger button (832) is released; while a second press breaks the connection between internal power source (822) and control board (824). It will be appreciated that once trigger button (832) is depressed, power delivery to control board (824) may occur within 100 ms, or sooner, such that there is no noticeable delay to the user. In other exemplary versions, the delay may be any amount suitable to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

[0043] FIG. 13 shows an exemplary wand (900) that may be used with, for example, surgical instrument (300, 400, 500) of FIGS. 3-9. Wand (900) comprises a magnet (902) operable to trigger any of the magnetic switches (326, 426, 526) shown in FIGS. 3-9. As a result, rather than pressing a button or performing some other action, the user may wave wand (900) proximate to a magnetic switch (326, 426, 526) to trigger the magnetic switch (326, 426, 526). In some versions, magnet (312, 412, 512) may be omitted from transmission assembly (310, 410) or trigger (532) and the magnet (902) of wand (900) may instead be used to trigger the magnetic switch (326, 426, 526). It will further be appreciated that wand (900) may be used to check the functionality of surgical instrument (300, 400, 500) prior to removing surgical instrument (300, 400, 500) from packaging and/or prior to use of surgical instrument (300, 400, 500) in a surgical procedure. In other words, magnet (902) may provide a magnetic field through packaging of instrument (300, 400, 500) in a manner sufficient to trigger a responsive feature in instrument (300, 400, 500).

[0044] It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

[0045] Embodiments of the present invention have application in conventional endoscopic and open surgical instrumentation as well as application in robotic-assisted surgery. For instance, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various teaching herein may be readily combined with various teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,524, entitled “Robotic Surgical Tool with Ultrasound Cauterizing and Cutting Instrument,” published Aug. 31, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

[0046] Embodiments of the devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. Embodiments may, in either or both cases, be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning may include any combination of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, embodiments of the device may be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts of the device may be selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, embodiments of the device may be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device may utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application.

[0047] By way of example only, embodiments described herein may be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument may be obtained and if necessary cleaned. The instrument may then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument may then be placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation may kill bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument may then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container may keep the instrument sterile until it is opened in a medical facility. A device may also be sterilized using any other technique known in the art, including but not limited to beta or gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, or steam.

[0048] Having shown and described various embodiments of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, embodiments, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.