Electronic lockouts and surgical instrument including same

A surgical cutting and stapling instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes an end effector and a handle. The end effector includes a channel, an anvil pivotally attached to the channel, a moveable cutting instrument for cutting an object positioned between the anvil and the channel, and a staple cartridge configured for removable receipt by the channel. The staple cartridge includes a sled that is engaged by the cutting instrument during a cutting stoke. The handle includes a motor for actuating the cutting instrument via a main drive shaft assembly. The instrument further includes a first interlock circuit for enabling initiation of motor operation based upon a position of the staple cartridge.

Motor-driven surgical cutting fastening instrument with tactile position feedback

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector, a main drive shaft assembly connected to the end effector, and a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly. The end effector comprises a movable cutting instrument for cutting an object positioned in the end effector. The instrument also includes a main motor for actuating the gear drive train and a firing trigger for actuating the main motor. The instrument also includes a tactile position feedback system for applying force to the firing trigger such that the position of the firing trigger is related to the position of the cutting instrument in the end effector.

Surgical instrument having recording capabilities

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument has an end effector and a trigger in communication with the end effector. The surgical instrument also has a first sensor and an externally accessible memory device in communication with the first sensor. The first sensor has an output that represents a first condition of either the trigger or the end effector. The memory device is configured to record the output of the first sensor. In various embodiments, memory device may include an output port and/or a removable storage medium.

Surgical instrument having a feedback system

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument comprises a plurality of sensors, and a status module releasably connected to the surgical instrument. The status module comprises a plurality of contacts, a circuit, and a plurality of indicators. Each individual contact is in electrical communication with a different sensor. The circuit is in electrical communication with at least one of the contacts. At least one of the indicators is in electrical communication with the circuit.

Electro-mechanical surgical instrument with closure system and anvil alignment components

A surgical instrument. Various embodiments relate to a surgical cutting and fastening instrument that has an end effector with an anvil that can pivot between open and closed positions relative to an elongate channel that can support a staple cartridge therein. The anvil may be opened and closed by a drive system. Various embodiments employ a powered drive system for opening and closing the anvil and powering a knife and staple drive assembly used to cut tissue and deploy the staples in the cartridge. Other embodiments employ a mechanical system to open and close the anvil and employ a powered system to power the knife and staple drive assembly. In various embodiments, the drive assembly serves to axially and laterally align anvil relative to the elongate channel. The anvil is constructed to move in a substantially parallel path relative to the elongate channel during closing.

Surgical instrument having a removable battery

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument comprises a handle, a battery, a motor, and a lockout system. The handle comprises a primary portion and a grip portion. The grip portion is releasably connected to the primary portion. The battery is within the grip portion. The motor is in electrical communication with the battery. The lockout system is within the handle, and is structured and arranged to block connection of the grip portion to the primary portion after the grip portion is disconnected from the primary portion a predetermined number of times.

Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument with loading force feedback

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector, a main drive shaft assembly, and a handle. The handle comprises a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, a motor for actuating the gear drive train, and a firing trigger. Retraction of the firing trigger actuates the motor. Further, the firing trigger is connected to the gear drive train such that the loading force applied to the firing trigger is related to the loading force experienced by the cutting instrument in the end effector.

Surgical cutting and fastening instrument with closure trigger locking mechanism

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising a moveable cutting instrument, a main drive shaft assembly for actuating the cutting instrument in the end effector, and a handle connected to the main drive shaft assembly. The handle may comprises a pistol grip portion, a closure trigger, and a separate firing trigger. Retraction of the closure trigger toward the pistol grip portion causes the end effector to clamp an object positioned in the end effector and retraction of the firing trigger toward the pistol grip portion causes actuation of the main drive shaft assembly. The instrument also includes a closure trigger locking assembly for locking the closure trigger to the pistol grip portion when the closure trigger is retracted.

Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument with adaptive user feedback

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector, a main drive shaft assembly, and a handle. The end effector comprising a cutting instrument for cutting an object positioned therein. The handle comprises a motor for actuating the shaft via a gear drive train, a firing trigger, and a run motor sensor for sensing retracting of the firing trigger. When retraction of the firing trigger is sensed by the run motor sensor, the motor is signaled to forward rotate to cause cutting of the object positioned in the end effector by the cutting instrument. The instrument may also include a reverse motor sensor for sensing a condition indicative of an end of a cutting stroke by the cutting instrument and a stop motor sensor for sensing a condition indicative of retraction of the cutting instrument.

Motor-driven surgical cutting and fastening instrument with user feedback system

A surgical cutting and fastening instrument is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the instrument includes an end effector comprising a moveable cutting instrument for cutting an object positioned in the end effector, a main drive shaft assembly connected to the end effector, and a handle connected to the main drive shaft assembly. The handle includes a gear drive train connected to the main drive shaft assembly, a main motor for actuating the gear drive train, and a firing trigger such that retraction of the firing trigger causes actuation of the motor. Also, the rotational position of the firing trigger is related to the position of the cutting instrument in the end effector.