STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM

In various embodiments, a staple cartridge for use in a surgical stapler is disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a staple body comprising a proximal end and a distal end. A tissue thickness sensing module is positioned adjacent to the distal end of the staple body. The tissue thickness sensing module comprises a controller and a sensor. A power key is located removably adjacent to the staple body. The controller is configured to detect the power key and to maintain the tissue thickness sensing module in a low-power state while the power key is present. When the power key is removed, the controller transitions the tissue thickness sensing module to an active state.

ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK

A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include an articulation driver configured to rotate the end effector about the articulation joint and an articulation lock which can be configured to selectably resist the unintentional articulation of the end effector. In various circumstances, the actuation of the articulation driver can unlock the articulation lock. In certain circumstances, the articulation lock can comprise a first one-way lock configured to resist the movement of the articulation driver in a first direction and a second one-way lock configured to resist the movement of the articulation driver in a second direction.

Staple cartridge tissue thickness sensor system

In various embodiments, a surgical end effector is disclosed. The surgical end effector comprises a staple cartridge comprising a proximal end and a distal end. The staple cartridge is configured to be used to staple tissue within an optimal tissue thickness range. An anvil is movably coupled relative to the staple cartridge. A tissue thickness sensing module is located adjacent to the distal end of the staple cartridge. The tissue thickness sensing module comprises a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to generate a tissue thickness signal indicative of a thickness of the tissue located between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The controller is in signal communication with the sensor. The controller comprises means for identifying a staple cartridge type. The staple cartridge type and the thickness measurement are used to determine if the thickness of the tissue is within the optimal tissue thickness range.

Articulation control system for articulatable surgical instruments

A surgical instrument comprises an end effector, a shaft, and a housing extending proximally from the shaft. The end effector is movable relative to the shaft between an articulation home state position and an articulated position and comprises a surgical stapler including a plurality of staples and a firing member that fires the plurality of staples. The firing member is movable between a firing home state position and a fired position. The housing includes a motor operably supported by the housing, a controller in communication with the motor, and a home state input configured to transmit a home state input signal to the controller which is configured to activate the motor in response to the home state input signal to effectuate a return of the end effector to the articulation home state position and a return of the firing member to the firing home state position.

Drive system lockout arrangements for modular surgical instruments

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument may include at least one drive system that is configured to generate control motions upon actuation thereof. At least one drive system defines an actuation axis. The surgical instrument may further include at least one interchangeable shaft assembly that is configured to be removably coupled to the at least one drive system in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis and transmit the control motions from the at least one drive system to a surgical end effector operably coupled thereto. A lockout assembly may interface with the at least one drive system for preventing actuation of the drive system unless the at least one interchangeable shaft assembly has been operably coupled to the at least one drive system.

Control systems for surgical instruments

Surgical instruments and control systems therefor are disclosed. A surgical instrument can comprise: a power circuit comprising a power source and a switch, a microcontroller coupled to the power circuit, a handle comprising an attachment portion, and a control circuit in signal communication with the microcontroller. The attachment portion can comprise a first electrical contact in signal communication with the microcontroller. The control circuit can comprise a sensor configured to detect an attachment state of the attachment portion. The control circuit can communicate the detected attachment state to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller can ignore signals from the first electrical contact when the control circuit communicates a detached state. The attachment portion can comprise a second electrical contact coupled to a second power circuit, and the second power circuit can decouple the second electrical contact and the second power source when the sensor detects the detached state.

Articulatable surgical instrument comprising a firing drive

A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, and an end effector rotatably coupled to the shaft by an articulation joint. The surgical instrument can further include a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector and a firing drive operably coupled with a trigger wherein the operation of the trigger can advance and/or retract a firing member of the firing drive relative to the end effector. The surgical instrument can further comprise an articulation drive which is selectively engageable with the firing drive. When the articulation drive is engaged with the firing drive, the operation of the firing drive can operate the articulation drive and articulate the end effector. When the articulation drive is not engaged with the firing drive, the firing drive can be operated independently of the articulation drive.

Drive train control arrangements for modular surgical instruments

A surgical instrument comprises an end effector, a shaft, and a housing extending proximally from the shaft. The surgical instrument includes an articulation assembly configured to articulate the end effector relative to the shaft, a firing assembly configured to fire a plurality of staples, for example, and a locking member movable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The housing is removably couplable to the shaft when the locking member is in the unlocked configuration and the housing includes a motor configured to drive at least one of the firing assembly and the articulation assembly. The housing also includes a controller in communication with the motor, wherein the controller is configured to activate the motor to reset at least one of the firing assembly and the articulation assembly to a home state when the locking member is moved between the locked configuration and the unlocked configuration.

Control arrangements for a drive member of a surgical instrument

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument may be operated compensating for the effect of splay in flexible knife bands on transection length of a powered surgical instrument. The surgical instrument includes a processor and a memory. A relationship between articulation angle of an end effector and effective transection length distal of an articulation joint is characterized. The characterization data is accessed by the processor from the memory of the surgical instrument. The articulation angle of the end effector is tracked by the processor during use of the surgical instrument. The target transection length is adjusted by the processor based on the known articulation angle and the stored characterization data.

Interchangeable shaft assemblies for use with a surgical instrument

An interchangeable shaft assembly for use with a surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may include a frame that operably supports a plurality of drive systems and defines an actuation axis. The shaft assembly may comprise a first shaft that is configured to apply first actuation motions to a surgical end effector that is operably coupled thereto. A proximal end of the first shaft is configured to be operably releasably coupled to a first one of the drive systems supported by the frame in a direction that is substantially transverse to the actuation axis.