Abstract: A surgical instrument system is disclosed comprising a handle, an elongate shaft selectively attachable to the handle, a battery pack replaceably attachable to the handle, and an end effector extending distally from the elongate shaft. In various instances, the battery pack comprises a power source couplable to the motor and a display. The elongate shaft comprises a processor and a memory couplable to the processor. In various instances, the memory comprises a control program which, when executed, causes the processor to initiate a desired function. In various instances, the end effector comprises a sensing circuit configured to detect a condition of the end effector. The sensing circuit is in signal communication with the processor.

Abstract: A staple cartridge comprising a sensor array is disclosed. In various instances, the sensor array comprises a conductive trace embedded in a cartridge body of the staple cartridge.

Abstract: A surgical system is disclosed comprising a firing member movable from a proximal position toward a distal position during a firing stroke, a motor configured to drive the firing member toward the distal position, and a control system configured to operate in an open-loop configuration and a closed-loop configuration. In the open-loop configuration, the control system is configured to cause the motor to drive the firing member to a predetermined position between the proximal position and the distal position, determine a time required to drive the firing member to the predetermined position, compare the determined time to a predetermined time, and set a motor velocity of the motor based on the comparison. In the closed-loop configuration, the control system is configured to drive the firing member at the set motor velocity.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a robotic manipulator that includes a mounting fixture defining a longitudinal channel, and a surgical tool removably coupleable to the mounting fixture. The surgical tool including a tool housing matable with the mounting fixture, an elongate shaft extending from the tool housing and receivable within the channel, and a latching mechanism provided on the elongate shaft and comprising one or more retention tabs biased radially outward with one or more biasing members. The one or more retention tabs are movable between a deployed state, where the one or more retention tabs protrude radially outward through a corresponding one or more slots to engage the mounting fixture, and a retracted state, where the one or more retention tabs are urged radially inward through the one or more slots to disengage the mounting fixture.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises an end effector, a shaft connected to the end effector, and a handle connected to the shaft. The handle comprises an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train for powering the drive train and a plurality of series-connected DC power source connected to the motor for supplying electrical power to the motor. The handle also comprises a power source selection switch for connecting, when in a first state, all of the DC power sources to the motor, and, when in a second state, a subset of the DC power sources to the motor. Also disclosed are means for actuating a RF electrode in the end effector and means for indicating actuation of the RF electrode.

Abstract: A method implemented by a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes first and second jaws and a flexible circuit including multiple sensors to optimize performance of a radio frequency (RF) device. The flexible circuit includes at least one therapeutic electrode couplable to a source of RF energy, at least two sensing electrodes, and at least one insulative layer. The insulative layer is positioned between the at least one therapeutic electrode and the at least two sensing electrodes. The method includes contacting tissue positioned between the first and second jaws of the surgical instrument with the at least one therapeutic electrode and at the least two sensing electrodes; sensing signals from the at least two sensing electrodes; and controlling RF energy delivered to the at least one therapeutic electrode based on the sensed signals.

Abstract: A robotic surgical attachment is disclosed. The robotic surgical attachment comprises a control interface comprising a manually-actuated retraction assembly and a shaft extending distally from the control interface. The robotic surgical attachment further comprises an articulation region and an end effector assembly extending from the shaft by way of the articulation region. The end effector assembly comprises a firing member movable through a first distance during a jaw closure stroke and a second distance to cut and staple tissue clamped between jaws of the end effector assembly after the completion of the closure stroke. The manually-actuated retraction assembly is operable to selectively retract the firing member.

Abstract: A method for assessing performance of a surgical instrument including one or more drivetrains is disclosed. The method includes sensing via one or more vibration sensors vibrations generated during operation of the one or more drivetrains of the surgical instrument, generating an output signal based on the sensed vibrations, filtering the output signal to generate a filtered signal of the sensed vibrations from the one or more drivetrains, processing the filtered signal to generate a processed signal of the sensed vibrations from the one or more drivetrains, and comparing predetermined threshold values for each of an acceptable status, a marginal status, and a critical status of the surgical instrument to corresponding values of the processed signal.

Abstract: Various surgical hubs and data stripping methods are disclosed. The surgical hub comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to interrogate a modular device coupled to the processor via a modular communication hub. The modular device is a source of data sets that include patient identity data and surgical procedure data. The processor also executes instructions to: receive a data set from the modular device; discard the patient identity data and any portion of the surgical procedure data that identifies the patient from the data set; extract anonymous data from the data set and create an anonymized data set; and configure operation of the surgical hub or the modular device based on the anonymized data set.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to transition the end effector between an open configuration and a closed configuration to clamp tissue between the ultrasonic blade and the clamp arm. The surgical instrument further comprises a transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic energy output and a waveguide configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy output to the ultrasonic blade. The surgical instrument further comprises a control circuit configured to monitor a parameter of the surgical instrument, wherein crossing an upper predetermined threshold of the parameter causes the control circuit to effect a first electromechanical system, and wherein crossing a lower predetermined threshold of the parameter causes the control circuit to effect a second electromechanical system different than the first electromechanically system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of generating electrical signal waveforms by a generator. The generator includes a processor and a memory in communication with the processor. The memory defines a first and second table. The processor retrieves information from the first table defined in the memory, where the information is associated with a first wave shape of a first electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure. The processor retrieves information from the second table defined in the memory, where the information is associated with a second wave shape of a second electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure. The processor combines the first and second wave shapes to create a combined wave shape of an electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure and the combined wave shape electrical signal waveform for performing a surgical procedure is delivered to a surgical instrument.

Abstract: A method of controlling motor velocity in a surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a displacement member, a motor coupled to the displacement member, a control circuit coupled to the motor, a position sensor coupled to the control circuit, and a timer coupled to the control circuit. The method includes receiving a first position of a displacement member from a position sensor, starting a timer, advancing the displacement member to a second position by setting a motor velocity to a first velocity, receiving the second positon from the position sensor, stopping the timer when the displacement member reaches the second position, receiving elapsed time from the timer, wherein the elapsed time is the time taken by the displacement to move from the first position to the second positon, and controlling, by the control circuit, velocity of the motor based on the elapsed time.

Abstract: A surgical system comprising a surgical instrument, a generator configured to supply power to an end effector, and a processor configured to run a control program to operate the surgical system is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises the end effector which includes a first jaw and a second jaw. At least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is moved with respect to one another between an open position and a closed position. Tissue is configured to be positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw. The processor is configured to detect a first parameter of the surgical system, detect at least one user input, and modify the control program in response to the detected first parameter and the at least one user input.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has a staple cartridge housing a plurality of staples and an anvil configured to capture tissue therebetween. The surgical instrument also has a firing assembly configured to deploy the plurality of staples into the captured tissue during a firing sequence, and a handle that includes an electric motor operably coupled to the firing assembly, wherein the electric motor is configured to motivate the firing assembly to deploy the plurality of staples into the captured tissue during the firing sequence, and a power pack. The power pack includes rechargeable battery cells configured to power the electric motor, at least one battery-cell health indicator, and an electronic control circuit configured to assess whether a subset of rechargeable battery cells is damaged during the firing sequence based on at least one measurement performed by the at least one battery-cell health indicator.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed that comprises a motor, a radio frequency (RF) energy generator, a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw in response to an actuation from said motor to capture tissue, and a segmented circuit comprising a first electrode configured to measure tissue impedance at a first position and a second electrode configured to measure tissue impedance at a second position. The RF energy generator is configured to transmit RF energy to the tissue by way of said first electrode or said second electrode. A controller is configured to control said motor based on the measured tissue impedances, energize said first electrode with a first amount of RF energy based on the tissue impedance measured at said first position, and energize said second electrode with a second amount of RF energy based on the tissue impedance measured at said second position.

Abstract: Various surgical hubs are disclosed. A surgical hub is for use with a surgical system in a surgical procedure performed in an operating room. The surgical hub comprises a control circuit configured to: pair the surgical hub with a first device of the surgical system; assign a first identifier to the first device; pair the surgical hub with a second device of the surgical system; assign a second identifier to the second device; and selectively pair the first device with the second device based on perioperative data.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an electric motor and a control circuit. The control circuit includes a plurality of logic gates and a monostable multivibrator. The monostable multivibrator is connected to a first one of the logic gates. The control circuit is configured to alter a rate of action of a function of the surgical instrument by controlling a speed of rotation of the electric motor based on a sensed parameter.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising a handle, a shaft extending from the handle, an end effector, a replaceable staple cartridge, a drive system, and a battery pack is disclosed. The handle comprises a battery mount. The end effector comprises a cartridge jaw and an anvil jaw. The drive system comprises an electric motor, a control circuit in communication with the electric motor, a firing member driveable by the electric motor during a firing stroke to eject staples from the staple cartridge. The battery pack is removably attachable to the battery mount. The battery pack comprises an outer housing, a battery cell, an electrical contact, a metal heat sink disposed within the outer housing, and control electronics in communication with the battery cell and the electrical contact that is operable to supply power to the control circuit when the battery pack is attached to the battery mount.

Abstract: Provided is a method for managing radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signals output by a generator that includes a surgical instrument comprising an RF energy output and an ultrasonic energy output and a circuit configured to receive a combined RF and ultrasonic signal from the generator. The method includes receiving a combined radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic signal from a generator, generating a RF filtered signal by filtering RF frequency content from the combined signal; filtering ultrasonic frequency content from the combined signal; generating an ultrasonic filtered signal; providing the RF filtered signal to the RF energy output; and providing the ultrasonic filtered signal to the ultrasonic energy output.

Abstract: A modular surgical system is disclosed that comprises a modular hub and a computer system that includes instructions to retrieve medical records associated with a patient from an EMR database based on a key, delete data associated with the patient's identity from the retrieved medical records, extract relevant patient data from the retrieved medical records, and store an anonymous data file with the extracted relevant patient data by a unique procedure identification number. Within a hospital data barrier, the modular hub is configured to combine the anonymous data file with the patient EMR stored on the EMR database by using the key associated with the patient EMR and the unique procedural identification number associated with the anonymous data file and delete from the modular hub the data associated with the patient's identity to maintain anonymity of the patient.