US 6,981,941 B2
Electro-mechanical surgical device
Michael P. Whitman, New Hope, Pa. (US); John E. Burbank, Ridgefield, Conn. (US); and David A. Zeichner, Oxford, Conn. (US)
Assigned to Power Medical Interventions, Langhorne, Pa. (US)
Filed on Apr. 17, 2001, as Appl. No. 9/836,781.
Application 09/836781 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/723715, filed on Nov. 28, 2000, granted, now 6,793,652.
Application 09/723715 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/324451, filed on Jun. 02, 1999, granted, now 6,315,184.
Application 09/324451 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/324452, filed on Jun. 02, 1999, granted, now 6,443,973.
Application 09/324452 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/351534, filed on Jul. 12, 1999, granted, now 6,264,087.
Application 09/351534 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/510923, filed on Feb. 22, 2000, granted, now 6,517,565.
Application 09/510923 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/324452, filed on Jun. 02, 1999, granted, now 6,443,973.
Application 09/324452 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/510927, filed on Feb. 22, 2000, granted, now 6,716,233.
Application 09/510927 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/324452, filed on Jun. 02, 1999, granted, now 6,443,973.
Prior Publication US 2001/0031975 A1, Oct. 18, 2001
Int. Cl. A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 600—1 48 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical instrument system comprising a surgical instrument configured for complete insertion into a body for use with an electro-mechanical surgical device; a coupling configured to couple the surgical instrument with the electro-mechanical surgical device; a rotatable drive shaft within the coupling to enable the electro-mechanical device to operate the surgical device; a sensor to enable detection of rotational movement of the rotatable drive shaft; and a memory unit housed inside the surgical instrument, said memory unit configured to store data representing at least one parameter relating to the surgical instrument including usage data representing usage of the surgical instrument as reflected by the rotational movement detected by the sensor; wherein the coupling includes a data connector configured to connect the memory unit with the electro-mechanical surgical device.