Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor, and a segmented circuit. The segmented circuit includes a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments includes a power segment configured to provide a segment voltage to the primary processor, the safety processor, and each of the plurality of circuit segments. The power segment is configured to provide variable voltage protection of each segment.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an end effector with a first jaw and a second jaw. The instrument also includes a first drive assembly, a first motor coupled to the first drive assembly, a second drive assembly, a second motor coupled to the second drive assembly, a control module, and a closure trigger. The first motor is operable to motivate the first drive assembly, and the second motor is operable to motivate the second drive assembly. The control module is operably couplable to the first motor and the second motor. The closure trigger is movable during a closure stroke to transition the end effector to the approximated configuration, and to transition the control module from operable engagement with the first motor to operable engagement with the second motor.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for removably coupling a cartridge to an end effector of a surgical device. In general, one of a cartridge and a surgical device can include at least one mating element, and the other of the cartridge and the surgical device can include at least one engagement feature configured to removably engage the at least one mating element. The engagement of the at least one mating element and the at least one engagement feature can help ensure that the cartridge is fully mated to the surgical device such that the surgical device can properly fire fasteners disposed within the cartridge. The engagement of the at least one mating element and the at least one engagement feature can be configured to provide a positive indication that the cartridge is fully seated in an end effector of the surgical device.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for locking a surgical device based on loading of a fastener cartridge in the surgical device. In general, a surgical device can be configured to prevent at least one of closure of an end effector of the surgical device and firing of fasteners from the end effector when a cartridge is not fully seated in the end effector. In an exemplary embodiment, the surgical device can include a lockout element configured to prevent at least one of closure of the end effector and firing of fasteners from the end effector when a cartridge is not fully seated in the end effector. The locking element can be configured to automatically prevent firing and/or prevent closing of the end effector if a cartridge is not fully seated in the end effector.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An interchangeable shaft assembly for a surgical instrument that includes first and second drive systems. The interchangeable shaft assembly is configured for removable attachment to a housing of the surgical instrument. Various embodiments include a latch system that enables the interchangeable shaft assembly to be detached from the housing when the first drive system is unactuated but prevents the interchangeable shaft assembly from being detached from the housing when the first drive system is in an actuated position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, the safety processor, and a segmented circuit. The segmented circuit includes a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments is configured to control one or more operations of the surgical instrument. The safety processor is configured to monitor one or more parameters of the plurality of circuit segments.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument including a handle assembly and an interchangeable shaft assembly. The shaft assembly includes an elongate shaft, and an end effector extending distally from the elongate shaft. The handle assembly includes a motor configured to effectuate at least one motion in the end effector while said handle assembly is coupled to the shaft assembly. A power assembly is separably couplable to the handle assembly. The power assembly includes a power source configured to power the motor and a power management controller in communication with the power source. The power management controller is configured to receive an input signal corresponding to at least one power requirement of the shaft assembly. The power management controller is configured to modulate power output of the power source to the motor to conform the power output with the at least one power requirement of the shaft assembly.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a movable input, and an analog sensor configured to detect the position of the movable input, wherein the analog sensor is configured to produce an analog signal comprising analog data. The surgical instrument can further comprise a microcontroller comprising an input channel, wherein the analog sensor is in signal communication with the input channel, wherein the microcontroller is configured to compare the analog data to a reference value, and wherein the microcontroller is configured to produce a digital signal in response to the comparison.

Abstract: A surgical system can include an electric motor, a sensor and a microcontroller in signal communication with the electric motor and the sensor. In various instances, the microcontroller can adjust the velocity of a firing element when the sensor detects a change in current drawn by the electric motor that exceeds a threshold amount.

Abstract: A surgical instrument can comprise a handle, a shaft assembly, a first sensor configured to detect a condition of the surgical instrument, and a second sensor configured to detect the condition of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument can further comprise a processor, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with the processor, wherein the processor receives a first signal from the first sensor, wherein the processor receives a second signal from the second sensor, wherein the processor is configured to utilize the first signal and the second signal to determine the condition, and wherein the processor is configured to communicate instructions to the surgical instrument in view of the condition.

Abstract: A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure includes an elongate shaft, an end effector extending from the elongate shaft, and a control system. The end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position. The control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to store program instructions. The processor can alert the operator when the end effector reaches the home state position from the articulated position.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor, and a segmented circuit. The segmented circuit includes a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments includes a power segment configured to provide a segment voltage to the primary processor, the safety processor, and each of the plurality of circuit segments. The power segment is configured to provide variable voltage protection of each segment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, and a segmented circuit comprising a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments comprising a storage verification segment configured to indicate when a surgical instrument has been properly stored and sterilized.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for controlling a surgical instrument. The method includes connecting a power assembly to a control circuit, wherein the power assembly is configured to provide a source voltage, energizing, by the power assembly, a voltage boost convertor circuit configured to provide a set voltage greater than the source voltage, and energizing, by the voltage boost convertor, one or more voltage converters configured to provide one or more operating voltages to one or more circuit components.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument control circuit. The control circuit includes a primary processor, a safety processor in signal communication with the primary processor, and a segmented circuit. The segmented circuit includes a plurality of circuit segments in signal communication with the primary processor. The plurality of circuit segments includes a power segment. The safety processor is configured to transition the primary processor and at least one of the plurality of circuit segments from an active mode to a sleep mode and from the sleep mode to the active mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power assembly including a housing configured to couple to a surgical instrument. The housing includes at least two electrical contacts. A power source is coupled to the at least two electrical contacts. The power source is configured to provide power to the surgical instrument and a usage cycle circuit is configured to monitor one or more conditions of the power assembly and maintain a usage cycle count.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a surgical instrument including an end effector, a drive member movable to effectuate a motion in said end effector, a motor operable to move the drive member to effectuate the motion in the end effector and a bailout assembly operable to perform a mechanical bailout of the surgical instrument in response to a bailout error. The bailout assembly includes a bailout door, a bailout handle accessible through the bailout door. The bailout handle is operable to move the drive member to effectuate a bailout motion in the end effector. A controller includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to detect the bailout error. The processor is programmed to stop the motor in response to the detection of the bailout error.

Abstract: A method for updating a component of a modular surgical instrument. The method can comprise comparing control modules and/or control systems of various modular components of a surgical system. For example, if corresponding control modules are different, at least one of the control modules can be updated and/or overwritten. If corresponding control modules have different effective dates, the outdated control module can be updated and/or overwritten, for example.