Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a control unit and a staple cartridge including a transponder. The control unit is configured to transmit a first wireless signal to the transponder and to receive a second wireless signal from the transponder to determine one of a first electronic state and a second electronic state of the transponder based on the second wireless signal.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system comprising a housing, an end effector, a replaceable staple cartridge, a driver element, a motor-powered firing element, a remote user-controlled console, and a retraction assembly is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw is rotatable relative to the second jaw into a closed position. The driver element is translatable distally in response to a firing motion. The motor-powered firing element is advanceable from a proximal position to a fired position to apply the firing motion to the driver element. The motor-powered firing element is retractable from the fired position toward the proximal position. The remote user- controlled console is capable of controlling the actuation of the motor-powered firing element. The remote user-controlled console comprises apparatus for sensing the closure of the first jaw and apparatus for sensing the advancement and retraction of the motor-powered firing element.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and/or fastener apparatuses comprising an end effector with a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position. At least one of the jaws may comprise a channel for receiving a cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. Also, an electrically powered actuator may be for deploying the surgical fasteners and may comprise a power source and a motor. An activation mechanism may be attached to the handle to move the pair of jaws from the open to the closed position and to activate the actuator. A lockout mechanism may be configured to permit current to flow from the power source to the motor when the pair of jaws is in the closed position and to prevent current from flowing to the power source to the motor when the pair of jaws is in the open position.

Abstract: A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system that has a control unit and a shaft portion that includes an electrically conductive elongated member that is attached to a portion of the robotic system. The elongated member is configured to transmit control motions from the robotic system to an end effector.

Abstract: A powered surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a sensor configured to output a signal, an elongate shaft, and a handle is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw, a channel, a staple cartridge, an anvil, and a firing member configured to be driven during a firing stroke. The firing member experiences a pushing force during the firing stroke and comprises a knife portion, a first camming member configured to engage the first jaw, a second camming member configured to engage and position the second jaw. The handle comprises a motor, a battery, means for detecting the pushing force of the firing member, and a control unit configured to receive the signal from the sensor. The control unit includes a microprocessor which utilizes a pulse width modulation circuit to control the motor based on the signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: A control circuit configured to receive a control signal that defines a first phase and a second phase from a surgical generator. The control circuit may include a first resistor, a second resistor in parallel with the first resistor, and a switch in series with the second resistor. The switch may be configured to transition between an open state and a closed state corresponding to an operational mode of a surgical instrument. In the first phase of the control signal, the control circuit is configured to communicate surgical instrument information to the surgical generator. In the second phase of the control signal and in the open state of the switch, the control circuit is configured to provide a first output. In the second phase of the control signal and in the closed state of the switch, the control circuit is configured to provide a second output.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a control unit and a staple cartridge including a transponder. The control unit is configured to transmit a first wireless signal to the transponder and to receive a second wireless signal from the transponder to determine one of a first electronic state and a second electronic state of the transponder based on the second wireless signal.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.

Abstract: A surgical stapling system is disclosed comprising an end effector configurable in an open configuration and a clamped configuration. The end effector comprises a firing member that moves toward an ending position in response to a firing motion. A sensor is configured to produce a signal corresponding to the configuration of the end effector. A rotatable drive screw is drivable by an electric motor and is threadably engaged with the firing member such that rotary motion is converted to the firing motion. A control system is configured to evaluate the signal produced by the sensor and allows the electric motor to provide the firing motion to the firing member if the end effector is in the clamped configuration. The control system does not allow the electric motor to provide the firing motion to the firing member if the end effector is in the open configuration.

Abstract: A stapling assembly comprising a shaft, a first iaw, a second iaw, a detachable cartridge portion, a firing member, a motor-driven firing system, and a lockout is disclosed. The firing member comprises a first cam configured to engage the first jaw and a second cam configured to engage the second jaw when the firing member is advanced from an initial position. The first iaw comprises a clearanced opening configured to receive the first cam when the firing member is in the initial position such that the first cam is not engaged with the first jaw when the firing member is in the initial position. The motor-driven firing system is configured to advance the firing member toward a distal end of the stapling assembly. The lockout is configured to block the advancement of the firing member when the detachable cartridge portion is not attached to the stapling assembly.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument comprising a handle, an elongate shaft, an end effector, a motor couplable with a supply of current, a firing member operably responsive to the motor, a current sensor, and a control circuit is disclosed. The firing member is movable from a proximal position to a distal position during a firing stroke. The control circuit comprises a processor and a memory configured to store instructions which, when executed from the memory cause the processor to activate the motor in response to an actuation input, receive an input from the current sensor regarding the current draw of the motor, deactivate the motor when the current draw of the motor exceeds a threshold current when the firing member is within a threshold distance relative to the proximal position, and retract the firing member to the proximal position.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system comprising a surgical robot, a surgical instrument, a motor, and a current sensor is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector, a firing assembly, and a lockout mechanism. The firing assembly comprises a firing member movable from an unfired position to a fired position during a firing stroke and a sled movable from a proximal position to a distal position. The lockout mechanism is configured to prevent the firing stroke when the sled is not in the proximal position. The motor is operably coupled with the firing member and couplable with a supply of current. When the current through the motor exceeds a threshold value the firing member is prevented from completing the firing stroke. The threshold value corresponds to the current through the motor when the lockout mechanism is activated. The motor is de-energized when the current through the motor exceeds the threshold value.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening instrument comprises an end effector that has a shaft coupled thereto that is coupled to a robotic system. A tool mounting portion includes an electric, DC motor connected to a drive train in the shaft for powering the drive train. A power pack that comprises at least one charge-accumulating device connected to the DC motor for powering the DC motor is provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use with a robotic system that has a control unit and a shaft portion that includes an electrically conductive elongated member that is attached to a portion of the robotic system. The elongated member is configured to transmit control motions from the robotic system to an end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed. The instrument includes an end effector comprising a moveable cutting instrument to cut an object and a motor coupled to the end effector. The motor actuates the cutting instrument in response to a current therethrough, causing the cutting instrument to move between a proximal-most position and a distal-most position. The instrument includes an interlock coupled to the end effector and to the motor to prevent actuation of the cutting instrument based on the current through the motor.

Abstract: A surgical cutting and fastening system is disclosed including an end effector and an actuation console. The end effector includes an anvil and a firing member. The anvil moves in response to a closure motion from a first drive member. The firing member moves in response to a firing motion from a second drive member. A gear arrangement is configured to transmit the closure motion to the first drive member and the firing motion to the second drive member. The actuation console includes an input interface including a first input and a second input. The first input is configured to communicate the closure motion to the first drive member. The second input is configured to communicate the firing motion to the second drive member. The motor drive system cannot be operated to perform the firing motion until the closure motion has positioned the anvil in the closed position.

Abstract: Surgical instruments and/or fastener apparatuses comprising an end effector with a pair of jaws pivoted at a proximal end thereof and movable between an open and closed position. At least one of the jaws may comprise a channel for receiving a cartridge containing a plurality of surgical fasteners. Also, an electrically powered actuator may be for deploying the surgical fasteners and may comprise a power source and a motor. An activation mechanism may be attached to the handle to move the pair of jaws from the open to the closed position and to activate the actuator. A lockout mechanism may be configured to permit current to flow from the power source to the motor when the pair of jaws is in the closed position and to prevent current from flowing to the power source to the motor when the pair of jaws is in the open position.

Abstract: In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument that can supply mechanical energy and electrical energy to an end effector of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may be operated in a first operating mode in which a transducer of the surgical instrument produces mechanical energy, or vibrations, that are transmitted to the end effector and a second operating mode in which electrical energy, or current, can flow through the end effector to perform electrosurgery. In another general aspect, the surgical instrument may comprise a clamp, or jaw, which can be moved into a closed position to hold tissue against a waveguide, or blade, of the end effector. In the second operating mode of the surgical instrument, current can flow from a power source, through the waveguide, and return to the power source through a path comprising the jaw.