Staple fastener with signal antenna

Abstract

Disclosed is a surgical instrument comprising a housing, a shaft extending from the housing, a controller comprising a processor, an end effector comprising a jaw comprising a metal wall antenna, an antenna circuit mounted to the metal wall antenna in communication with the processor, and a staple cartridge comprising a cartridge body mounted to the jaw, staples removably stored within the cartridge body, and a signal emitter configured to emit a wireless signal.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present invention relates to surgical instruments, and more particularly to surgical stapling and cutting instruments designed for stapling and cutting tissue in various devices, as well as staple cartridges for use with them. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0002] The various features of the embodiments described herein, along with their advantages, can be understood by carrying out the invention described below in conjunction with the following accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a surgical instrument according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the controller for a robotic surgical system. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a robotic surgical system, which comprises multiple robotic surgical arms, each of which is capable of operably supporting a surgical instrument. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a side view of the robotic surgical arm. [Figure 5] A perspective view of a staple cartridge according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 5A] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the staple cartridge. [Figure 5B] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the distal end of the staple cartridge. [Figure 5C] Figure 5 is an elevation view of the distal end of the staple cartridge. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of a communication system between a surgical instrument and a staple cartridge, according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of a communication system between a surgical instrument and a staple cartridge, according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of a communication system between a surgical instrument and a staple cartridge, according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 8A] It is a part of the schematic diagram of FIG. 8. [Figure 8B] It is a partial perspective view of the surgical instrument of FIG. 8 shown with some components removed. [Figure 8C] It is a partial perspective view of the cartridge jaw of the surgical instrument of FIG. 8 shown with the staple cartridge removed. [Figure 8D] It is a partial perspective view of the surgical instrument of FIG. 8 shown in a closed or clamped configuration. [Figure 9] It is a schematic diagram of a communication system between a surgical instrument and a staple cartridge according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 10] It is a schematic diagram of a communication system between a surgical instrument and a staple cartridge according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a perspective view of a staple cartridge positioned on a cartridge jaw according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 11A] It is a partial cross-sectional view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 11. [Figure 11B] It is a perspective view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 11 removed from the cartridge jaw. [Figure 11C] It is an exploded view of the staple cartridge of FIG. 11. [Figure 11D] It is a perspective view of the thread of the staple cartridge of FIG. 11. [Figure 12] It is a perspective view of a staple cartridge according to at least one embodiment. [Figure 13] It is a logical flow diagram of an algorithm showing a control program or logical configuration for optimizing sensor data collection, transmission, and / or processing according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] It is a logical flow diagram of an algorithm showing a control program or logical configuration for optimizing sensor data collection, transmission, and / or processing according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 15]This is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm illustrating a control program or logical configuration for optimizing sensor data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] This is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating various mechanisms of a surgical system according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] This is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating various mechanisms of a staple cartridge according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 18] This is a table showing the correlation between the sampling rate (S) of a sensor array and the corresponding values ​​of bandwidth capacity (B), discharge rate (D), and remaining capacity (R), according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 19] This is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm showing a control program or logic configuration for monitoring and addressing signal interference in wireless power and / or data signal transmission, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 20] This is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm showing a control program or logical configuration for transfer efficiency in wireless power transmission, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 21] This figure shows an implementation of a first antenna circuit and a second antenna circuit for a wireless transmission system for power transfer between a surgical instrument 1022 and a staple cartridge, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 22] An adjustable series RLC (resistor, inductor, capacitor) circuit according to at least one aspect of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 23] An adjustable parallel RLC circuit according to at least one aspect of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 24] This is a graph showing the resonance state of an adjustable series RLC circuit 1130 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 25] This is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm showing a control program or logic configuration for improving power saving or optimizing power consumption using a staple cartridge, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 26] This is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm 1150 that shows a control program or logic configuration for optimizing the wireless transmission of power and / or data signals over a transmission system 1045, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 27] This is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm showing a control program or logical configuration for calibrating a sensor array of a surgical instrument, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 28] This is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm showing a control program or logical configuration for adjusting control parameters of a surgical instrument, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 29] This is a partial cross-sectional view of an end effector, comprising a staple cartridge and an anvil separated by a stop member, in a closed configuration of the end effector without any intervening tissue, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 30] This is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm showing a control program or logical configuration for adjusting control parameters of a surgical instrument, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 31] This is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm showing a control program or logical configuration for adjusting the sensor parameters of a sensor array, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 32] This is a logic flow diagram of an algorithm showing a control program or logical configuration for adjusting the sensor parameters of a sensor array, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 33] This is a schematic top view of a staple cartridge according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 34] This figure shows a cartridge comprising a plurality of sensors coupled to a control circuit via a set of coils for transferring power and data between the cartridge and the control circuit located within the appliance housing, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 35] A block diagram of a surgical instrument configured or programmed to control the distal translation of a displacement member, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, is shown. [Figure 36] A perspective view of an end effector for a surgical stapling and cutting instrument, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, is shown. [Figure 37] An exemplary tissue compression sensor system according to at least one aspect of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 38A] This is a schematic diagram of a tissue contact circuit, showing the completion of the circuit when a pair of spaced-apart contact plates come into contact with tissue, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 38B] This is a schematic diagram of a tissue contact circuit, showing the completion of the circuit when a pair of spaced-apart contact plates come into contact with tissue, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 39] This is a schematic diagram of a surgical instrument comprising a sensor monitoring and processing circuit according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 40] This is a schematic diagram of a portion of an end effector comprising an anvil and a staple cartridge including a sensor array, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 41] A partial cutaway view of the cartridge of Figure 40, comprising a plurality of independently addressable sensors, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 42] A flowchart of a method for monitoring multiple sensors according to at least one aspect of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 43] A flowchart of a method for monitoring multiple sensors according to at least one aspect of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 44] A flowchart of a method for monitoring multiple sensors according to at least one aspect of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 45] A flowchart of a method for monitoring multiple sensors according to at least one aspect of this disclosure is shown. [Figure 46] This is an exploded view of an end effector comprising multiple sensor arrays according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 47]A schematic diagram of a first sensor array and a second sensor array positioned within a cartridge base pan or retainer according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, the first sensor array and the second sensor array are shown coupled to an electronic circuit. [Figure 48] This is a perspective view of a staple-forming pocket of an anvil containing a conductive circuit element according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 49] Figure 48 shows a perspective view of the staple-forming pocket after a conductive circuit element has been cut by the staple leg during proper formation of the staple leg, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. [Figure 50] A distal sensor plug comprising electronic circuitry configured to monitor and process signals from a first sensor array and a second sensor array is shown according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 51] A method for monitoring the internal system of a staple cartridge to detect and track the motion state of cartridge components, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0003] Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts. The examples described herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention in one form and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0004] The applicant of this application also owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on the same day as this application, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: - U.S. Patent Application, Invention Title: "METHOD OF POWERING AND COMMUNICATING WITH A STAPLE CARTRIDGE", Agent Reference Number: END9295USNP1 / 200837-1M - U.S. Patent Application, Invention Title: "METHOD OF POWERING AND COMMUNICATING WITH A STAPLE CARTRIDGE", Agent Reference Number: END9295USNP2 / 200837-2M - U.S. Patent Application, Title of Invention: "Adjustable Communication Based on Available Bandwidth and Power Capacity", Agent Reference Number: END9295USNP3 / 200837-3 - US Patent Application, Invention Title: "ADJUSTMENT TO TRANSFER PARAMETERS TO IMPROVE AVAILABLE POWER", Agent Reference Number: END9295USNP4 / 200837-4 - US Patent Application, Invention Title "MONITORING OF MANUFACTURING LIFE-CYCLE", Agent Reference Number END9295USNP5 / 200837-5 - US Patent Application, Invention Title: "Monitoring of Multiple Sensors Over Time to Detect Moving Characteristics of Tissue", Agent Reference Number: END9295USNP6 / 200837-6 - U.S. Patent Application, Invention Title: "MONITORING OF INTERNAL SYSTEMS TO DETECT AND TRACK CARTRIDGE MOTION STATUS", Agent Reference Number: END9295USNP7 / 200837-7 - U.S. Patent Application, Title of Invention: "DISTAL COMMUNICATION ARRAY TO TUNE FREQUENCY OF RF SYSTEMS", Agent Reference Number: END9295USNP8 / 200837-8 - US Patent Application, Invention Title "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SENSOR ARRAY", Agent Reference Number END9295USNP9 / 200837-9 - US Patent Application, Invention Title: "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A SENSING ARRAY AND A TEMPERATURE CONTROL SYSTEM", Agent Reference Number: END9295USNP10 / 200837-10 - US Patent Application, Invention Title: "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING AN INFORMATION ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM", Agent Reference Number: END9295USNP11 / 200837-11 - US Patent Application, Invention Title: "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A POWER MANAGEMENT CIRCUIT", Agent Reference Number: END9295USNP12 / 200837-12 - U.S. Patent Application, Title of Invention "STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SEPARATE POWER ANTENNA AND A DATA TRANSFER ANTENNA", Agent Reference Number END9295USNP13 / 200837-13, and - U.S. Patent Application, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING A POWER TRANSFER COIL", Agent Reference Number: END9295USNP14 / 200837-14.

[0005] The applicant of this application also owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on October 29, 2020, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 084,179, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A RELEASABLE CLOSURE DRIVE LOCK", - U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 084,190, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A STOWED CLOSURE ACTUATOR STOP", - U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 084,198, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN INDICATOR WHICH INDICATES THAT AN ARTICULATION DRIVE IS ACTUATABLE", - U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 084,205, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION INDICATOR", - U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 084,258, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT", - U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 084,206, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK", - U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 084,215, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A JAW ALIGNMENT SYSTEM", - U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 084,229, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING SEALABLE INTERFACE", - U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 084,180, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LIMITED TRAVEL SWITCH", - U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 756,615, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY", - U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 756,620, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY", - U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 084,188, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A STAGED VOLTAGE REGULATION START-UP SYSTEM", - U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 084,193, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SENSOR CONFIGURED TO SENSE WHETHER AN ARTICULATION DRIVE OF THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IS ACTUATABLE".

[0006] The applicant of this application also owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on April 11, 2020, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 846,303, title of invention "METHODS FOR STAPLING TISSUE USING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0345353). - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 846,304, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATION ACTUATORS FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0345354), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 846,305, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATION DIRECTIONAL LIGHTS ON A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0345446), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 846,307, Title of Invention: "SHAFT ROTATION ACTUATOR ON A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 03453549), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 846,308, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATION CONTROL MAPPING FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0345355), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 846,309, Title of Invention: "INTELLIGENT FIRING ASSOCIATED WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0345356), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 846,310, Title of Invention: "INTELLIGENT FIRING ASSOCIATED WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0345357), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 846,311, Title of Invention: "ROTATABLE JAW TIP FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0345358), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 846,312, Title of Invention: "TISSUE STOP FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0345359), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 846,313, title of invention "ARTICULATION PIN FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0345360).

[0007] The entire disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 840,715, filed on April 30, 2019, with the title of the invention, "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ADAPTIVE CONTROL SYSTEM," is incorporated herein by reference.

[0008] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on February 21, 2019, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,658, Title of Invention: "METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER THAT HAS SEPARATE ROTARY CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0298350), U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,670, Title of Invention: "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING A LOCKOUT KEY CONFIGURED TO LIFT A FIRING MEMBER" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0298340), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,675, Title of Invention: "Surgical staplers with arrangements for maintaining a firing member thereof in a locked configuration unless a compatible cartridge has been installed therein" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0298354), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,685, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING CO-OPERATING LOCKOUT FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0298341), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,693, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT AND AN EXTERIOR ACCESS ORIFICE TO PERMIT ARTIFICIAL UNLOCKING OF THE LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0298342), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,704, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH FEATURES FOR BLOCKING ADVANCEMENT OF A CAMMING ASSEMBLY OF AN INCOMPATIBLE CARTRIDGE INSTALLED THEREIN" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0298356), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,707, Title of Invention: "STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A DEACTIVATABLE LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0298347), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,741, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0298357), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,762, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH CARTRIDGE COMPATIBLE CLOSURE AND FIRING LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0298343), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,666, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0298352), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,672, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH ASYMMETRIC CLOSURE FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0298353), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,678, Title of Invention "ROTARY DRIVEN FIRING MEMBERS WITH DIFFERENT ANVIL AND CHANNEL ENGAGEMENT FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0298355), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 281,682, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICE WITH SEPARATE ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE AND FIRING SYSTEMS AND FIRING MEMBER THAT ENGAGES BOTH JAWS WHILE FIRING" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0298346).

[0009] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on February 19, 2019, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 807,310, Title of Invention: "Methods for Controlling a Powered Surgical Stapler That Has Separate Rotary Closure and Fire Systems," - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 807,319, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED LOCKOUT SYSTEMS", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 807,309, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING DEVICES WITH IMPROVED ROTARY DRIVEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS".

[0010] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on March 28, 2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,302, Title of Invention: "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH encrypted COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,294, Title of Invention: "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,300, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,309, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,310, Title of Invention: "COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,291, Title of Invention: "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,296, Title of Invention: "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,333, Title of Invention: "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,327, Title of Invention: "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,315, Title of Invention: "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,313, Title of Invention: "CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,320, Title of Invention: "Drive arrangements for robot-asposed surgical platforms," - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,307, Title of Invention: "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS", and - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,323, Title of Invention: "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS".

[0011] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent application filed on March 30, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 650,887, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH OPTIMIZED SENSING CAPABILITIES".

[0012] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent application filed on December 4, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 209,423, title of invention: "METHOD OF COMPRESSING TISSUE WITHIN A STAPLING DEVICE AND SIMULTANEOUSLY DISPLAYING THE LOCATION OF THE TISSUE WITHIN THE JAWS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0200981).

[0013] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on August 20, 2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,101, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR FAbricating SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0054323), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,183, Title of Invention: "REINFORCED DEFORMABLE ANVIL TIP FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVIL" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,912,559), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,150, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH STAPLE DIRECTING PROTRUSIONS AND TISSUE STABILITY FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0054326), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,098, Title of Invention: "FABRICATING TECHNIQUES FOR SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0054322), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,140, ​​Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS WITH TISSUE STOP FEATURES CONFIGURED TO AVOID TISSUE PINCH" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,779,821), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,081, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR OPERATING A POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0054320), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,094, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE JAW CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0054321), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,097, Title of Invention: "POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS TO CONVERT LINEAR DRIVE MOTIONS TO ROTARY DRIVE MOTIONS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0054328), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,104, Title of Invention: "POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLUTCHING AND LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR LINKING AN ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM TO A FIRING DRIVE SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,842,492), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,119, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATABLE MOTOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH DEDICATED ARTICULATION MOTOR ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2020 / 0054330), - U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 105,160, Title of Invention "SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR MOTOR POWERED ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,856,870), and - U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 660,252, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLER ANVILS".

[0014] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications and U.S. patents, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,185, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES THEREOF" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,639,035), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,230, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168649), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,221, Title of Invention: "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,835,247), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,209, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND FIRING MEMBERS THEREOF" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,588,632), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,198, Title of Invention: "LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND REPLACEABLE TOOL ASSEMBLIES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,610,224), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,240, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS AND ADAPTABLE FIRING MEMBERS THEREFOR" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168651), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,939, Title of Invention: "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,835,246), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,941, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLUTCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIFTING BETWEEN CLOSURE SYSTEMS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES AND ARTICULATION AND FIRING SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,736,629), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,943, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,667,811), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,950, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLIES WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,588,630), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,945, Title of Invention: "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,893,864), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,946, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168633), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,951, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH JAW OPENING FEATURES FOR INCREASING A JAW OPENING DISTANCE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,568,626), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,953, Title of Invention: "METHODS OF STAPLING TISSUE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,675,026), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,954, Title of Invention: "FIRING MEMBERS WITH NON-PARALLEL JAW ENGAGEMENT FEATURES FOR SURGICAL END EFFECTORS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,624,635), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,955, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH EXPANDABLE TISSUE STOP ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,813,638), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,948, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS AND STAPLE-FORMING ANVILS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168584), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,956, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,588,631), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,958, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTUATION UNLESS AN UNSPENT STAPLE CARTRIDGE IS PRESENT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,639,034), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,947, Title of Invention: "STAPLE CARTRIDGES AND ARRANGEMENTS OF STAPLES AND STAPLE CAVITIES THEREIN" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,568,625), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,896, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR RESETTING A FUSE OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168597), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,898, Title of Invention: "STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENT TO ACCOMMODATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STAPLES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,537,325), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,899, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING IMPROVED JAW CONTROL" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,758,229), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,901, Title of Invention: "STAPLE CARTRIDGE AND STAPLE CARTRIDGE CHANNEL COMPRISING WINDOWS DEFINED THEREIN" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,667,809), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,902, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CUTTING MEMBER" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,888,322). - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,904, Title of Invention: "STAPLE FIRING MEMBER COMPRISING A MISSING CARTRIDGE AND / OR SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,881,401), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,905, Title of Invention: "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,695,055), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,907, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN END EFFECTOR LOCKOUT AND A FIRING ASSEMBLY LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168608), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,908, Title of Invention: "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FUSE" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168609), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,909, Title of Invention: "FIRING ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MULTIPLE FAILED-STATE FUSE" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168610), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,920, Title of Invention: "STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,499,914), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,913, Title of Invention: "ANVIL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168614), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,914, Title of Invention: "Method of Deforming Staples from Two Different Types of Staple Cartridges with the Same Surgical Stapling Instrument" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168615), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,893, Title of Invention: "BILATERALLY ASYMMETRIC STAPLE-FORMING POCKET PAIRS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,682,138), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,929, Title of Invention: "Closure Members with Cam Surface Arrangements for Surgical Instruments with Separate and Distinct Closure and Fire Systems" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,667,810), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,911, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLERS WITH INDEPENDENTLY ACTUATABLE CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,448,950), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,927, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168625), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,917, Title of Invention: "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING STAPLES WITH DIFFERENT CLAMPING BREADTHS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168617), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,900, Title of Invention: "STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING PRIMARY SIDEWALLS AND POCKET SIDEWALLS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,898,186), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,931, Title of Invention: "NO-CARTRIDGE AND SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168627), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,915, Title of Invention "FIRING MEMBER PIN ANGLE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,779,823), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,897, Title of Invention: "STAPLE-FORMING POCKET ARRANGEMENTS COMPRISING ZONED FORMING SURFACE GROOVES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168598), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,922, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FAILURE RESPONSE MODES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,426,471), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,924, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PRIMARY AND SAFETY PROCESSORS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,758,230), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,910, Title of Invention: "ANVIL HAVING A KNIFE SLOT WIDTH" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,485,543), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,903, Title of Invention: "Closure Member Arrangements for Surgical Instruments" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,617,414), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,906, Title of Invention: "FIRING MEMBER PIN CONFIGURATIONS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,856,868), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,188, Title of Invention: "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH ASYMMETRICAL STAPLES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,537,324), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,192, Title of Invention: "STEPPED STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH TISSUE RETENTION AND GAP SETTING FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,687,810) - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,206, Title of Invention: "STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH DEFORMABLE DRIVER RETENTION FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168586), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,226, Title of Invention: "DURABILITY FEATURES FOR END EFFECTORS AND FIRING ASSEMBLIES OF SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168648), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,222, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS HAVING END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE OPENING FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168647), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 386,236, Title of Invention: "CONNECTION PORTIONS FOR DEPOSABLE LOADING UNITS FOR SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168650), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,887, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR ATTACHING A SHAFT ASSEMBLY TO A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT AND, ALTERNATIVELY, TO A SURGICAL ROBOT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,835,245) - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,889, Title of Invention: "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A MANUALLY-OPERABLE RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR USE WITH A MOTORIZED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168590), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,890, Title of Invention: "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SEPARATELY ACTUATABLE AND RETRACTABLE SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,675,025), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,891, Title of Invention: "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A CLUTCH CONFIGURED TO ADAPT THE OUTPUT OF A ROTARY FIRING MEMBER TO TWO DIFFERENT SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168592), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,892, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING A FIRING MEMBER ROTATABLE INTO AN ARTICULATION STATE TO ARTICULATE AN END EFFECTOR OF THE SURGICAL SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,918,385), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,894, Title of Invention: "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,492,785), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,895, Title of Invention: "SHAFT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND ARTICULATION LOCKOUTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,542,982), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,916, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168575), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,918, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168618), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,919, Title of Invention "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168619), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,921, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH MOVABLE CAMMING MEMBER CONFIGURED TO DISENGAGE FIRING MEMBER LOCKOUT FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,687,809), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,923, Title of Invention "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168623), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,925, Title of Invention: "JAW ACTUATED LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING ADVANCEMENT OF A FIRING MEMBER IN A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR UNLESS AN UNFIRED CARTRIDGE IS INSTALLED IN THE END EFFECTOR" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,517,595), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,926, Title of Invention: "AXIALLY MOVABLE CLOSURE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR APPLYING CLOSURE MOTIONS TO JAWS OF SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168577), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,928, Title of Invention: "Protective Cover Arrangements for a Joint Interface Between a Movable Jaw and Actuator Shaft of a Surgical Instrument" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168578), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,930, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH TWO SEPARATE COOPERATING OPENING FEATURES FOR OPENING AND CLOSING END EFFECTOR JAWS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168579), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,932, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTOR WITH ASYMMETRIC SHAFT ARRANGEMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0168628), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,933, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH INDEPENDENT PIVOTABLE LINKAGE DISTAL OF AN ARTICULATION LOCK" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,603,036), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,934, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR IN AN ARTICULATED POSITION IN RESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF A JAW CLOSURE SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,582,928), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,935, Title of Invention: "LATERALLY ACTUATABLE ARTICULATION LOCK ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCKING AN END EFFECTOR OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT IN AN ARTICULATED CONFIGURATION" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,524,789), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 385,936, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATION STROKE AMPLIFICATION FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,517,596), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 318,996, Title of Invention: "FASTENER CARTRIDGES INCLUDING EXTENSIONS HAVING DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0297228), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,006, Title of Invention: "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING FASTENER CAVITIES INCLUDING FASTENER CONTROL FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,010,324), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 318,991, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGES WITH DRIVER STABILIZING ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,833,241), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,004, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH FIRING ELEMENT MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,844,369), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,008, Title of Invention: "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING NON-UNIFORM FASTENERS" (U.S. Patent No. 10,299,792), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 318,997, Title of Invention: "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING DEPLOYABLE TISSUE ENGAGING MEMBERS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 10,561,422), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,002, Title of Invention: "FASTENER CARTRIDGE COMPRISING TISSUE CONTROL FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,877,721), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,013, Title of Invention "FASTENER CARTRIDGE ASSEMBLIES AND STAPLE RETAINER COVER ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0297233), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 319,016, Title of Invention: "FASTENER CARTRIDGE INCLUDING A LAYER ATTACHED THERETO" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,470,768).

[0015] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on June 24, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 191,775, Title of Invention: "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0367695), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 191,807, Title of Invention: "STAPLING SYSTEM FOR USE WITH WIRE STAPLES AND STAMPED STAPLES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,702,270), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 191,834, Title of Invention: "STAMPED STAPLES AND STAPLE CARTRIDGES USING THE SAME" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,542,979), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 191,788, Title of Invention "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OVERDRIVEN STAPLES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,675,024), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 191,818, Title of Invention: "STAPLE CARTRIDGE COMPRISING OFFSET LONGITUDINAL STAPLE ROWS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,893,863).

[0016] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on June 24, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,218, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL FASTENER" (currently U.S. Design Patent No. D826,405), - U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,227, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL FASTENER" (currently U.S. Design Patent No. D822,206), - U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,259, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE" (currently U.S. Design Patent No. D847,989), - U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 569,264, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL FASTENER CARTRIDGE" (currently U.S. Design Patent No. D850,617).

[0017] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on April 1, 2016, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,325, Title of Invention: "METHOD FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0281171), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,321, Title of Invention: "MODULAR SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,271,851), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,326, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY INCLUDING A RE-ORIENTABLE DISPLAY FIELD" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,433,849), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,263, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE ASSEMBLY WITH RECONFIGURABLE GRIP PORTION" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,307,159), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,262, Title of Invention: "ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MANUALLY ACTUATABLE BAILOUT SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,357,246), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,277, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING END EFFECTOR WITH ANVIL CONCENTRIC DRIVE MEMBER" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,531,874), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,296, Title of Invention: "INTERCHANGEABLE SURGICAL TOOL ASSEMBLY WITH A SURGICAL END EFFECTOR THAT IS SELECTIVELY ROTATABLE ABOUT A SHAFT AXIS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,413,293), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,258, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,342,543), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,278, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO PROVIDE SELECTIVE CUTTING OF TISSUE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,420,552), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,284, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A CONTOURABLE SHAFT" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017 / 0281186), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,295, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A TISSUE COMPRESSION LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,856,867), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,300, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN UNCLAMPING LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,456,140), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,196, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW CLOSURE LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,568,632), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,203, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A JAW ATTACHMENT LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,542,991), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,210, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A SPENT CARTRIDGE LOCKOUT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,478,190), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,324, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A SHIFTING MECHANISM" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,314,582). - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,335, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING MULTIPLE LOCKOUTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,485,542), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,339, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017 / 0281173), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,253, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM CONFIGURED TO APPLY ANNULAR ROWS OF STAPLES HAVING DIFFERENT HEIGHTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,413,297), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,304, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A GROOVED FORMING POCKET" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,285,705), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,331, Title of Invention: "ANVIL MODIFICATION MEMBERS FOR SURGICAL STAPLERS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,376,263), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,336, Title of Invention: "STAPLE CARTRIDGES WITH ATRAUMATIC FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,709,446), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,312, Title of Invention: "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INCISABLE TISSUE SUPPORT" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017 / 0281189), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,309, Title of Invention "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING ROTARY FIRING SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,675,021), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 089,349, Title of Invention: "CIRCULAR STAPLING SYSTEM COMPRISING LOAD CONTROL" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,682,136).

[0018] The applicant of this application also owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on December 30, 2015, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 984,488, Title of Invention: "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR BATTERY PACK FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,292,704), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 984,525, Title of Invention: "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,368,865), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 984,552, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SEPARABLE MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL CIRCUITS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,265,068).

[0019] The applicant of this application also owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed on 9 February 2016, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,220, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH ARTICULATING AND AXIALLY TRANSLATABLE END EFFECTOR" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,245,029), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,228, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE LINK ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,433,837), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,196, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ARTICULATION MECHANISM WITH SLOTTED SECONDARY CONSTRAINT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,413,291), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,206, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH AN END EFFECTOR THAT IS HIGHLY ARTICULATABLE RELATIVE TO AN ELONGATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,653,413), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,215, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH NON-SYMMETRICAL ARTICULATION ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0224332), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,227, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH SINGLE ARTICULATION LINK ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0224334), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,235, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH TENSIONING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CABLE DRIVEN ARTICULATION SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,245,030), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,230, Title of Invention "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-AXIS FIRING BEAM ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,588,625), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 019,245, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CLOSURE STROKE REDUCTION ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,470,764).

[0020] The applicant of this application also owns the following U.S. patent applications, filed on February 12, 2016, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 043,254, Title of Invention: "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,258,331), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 043,259, Title of Invention: "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,448,948), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 043,275, Title of Invention "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0231627), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 043,289, title of invention "MECHANISMS FOR COMPENSATING FOR DRIVETRAIN FAILURE IN POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0231628).

[0021] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on June 18, 2015, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,925, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH POSITIVE JAW OPENING ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,182,818), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,941, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH DUAL CAM ACTUATED JAW CLOSING FEATURES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,052,102), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,933, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR PREVENTING FIRING SYSTEM ACTUATION WHEN A CARTRIDGE IS SPENT OR MISSING" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,154,841), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,914, Title of Invention: "MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,405,863), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,900, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH COMPOSITE FIRING BEAM STRUCTURES WITH CENTER FIRING SUPPORT MEMBER FOR ARTICULATION SUPPORT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,335,149), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,885, Title of Invention "DUAL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEM ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,368,861), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 742,876, title of invention "PUSH / PULL ARTICULATION DRIVE SYSTEMS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,178,992).

[0022] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on March 6, 2015, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,746, Title of Invention: "POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,808,246), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,795, Title of Invention: "MULTIPLE LEVEL THRESHOLDS TO MODIFY OPERATION OF POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,441,279), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,832, Title of Invention: "Adaptive Tissue Compression Techniques to Adjust Closure Rates for Multiple Tissue Types" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,687,806), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,935, Title of Invention: "OVERLAID MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUE COMPRESSION" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,548,504), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,831, Title of Invention: "Monitoring Speed ​​Control and Precision Increasing of Motor for Powered Surgical Instruments" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,895,148), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,859, Title of Invention: "TIME DEPENDENT EVALUATION OF SENSOR DATA TO DETERMINE STABILITY, CREEP, AND VISCOELASTIC ELEMENTS OF MEASURES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,052,044), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,817, Title of Invention: "INTERACTIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,924,961), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,844, Title of Invention: "CONTROL TECHNIQUES AND SUB-PROCESSOR CONTAINED WITHIN MODULAR SHAFT WITH SELECT CONTROL PROCESSING FROM HANDLE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,045,776), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,837, Title of Invention: "SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,993,248), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,765, Title of Invention: "SYSTEM FOR DETECTING THE MIS-INSERTION OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE INTO A SURGICAL STAPLER" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,617,412), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,799, Title of Invention "SIGNAL AND POWER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM POSITIONED ON A ROTATABLE SHAFT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,901,342), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 640,780, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A LOCKABLE BATTERY HOUSING" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,245,033).

[0023] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on February 27, 2015, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,576, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,045,779), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,546, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICAL APPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,180,463), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,560, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL CHARGING SYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND / OR CONDITIONS ONE OR MORE BATTERIES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0249910), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,566, Title of Invention: "CHARGING SYSTEM THAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,182,816), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,555, Title of Invention: "SYSTEM FOR MONITORING WHETHER A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT NEEDS TO BE SERVICED" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,321,907), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,542, Title of Invention: "REINFORCED BATTERY FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,931,118), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,548, Title of Invention: "POWER ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,245,028), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,526, Title of Invention: "ADAPTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,993,258), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,541, Title of Invention "MODULAR STAPLING ASSEMBLY" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,226,250), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 633,562, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,159,483).

[0024] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on December 18, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 574,478, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING MEMBER" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,844,374), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 574,483, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,188,385), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,139, Title of Invention: "Drive Arrangements for Articulatable Surgical Instruments" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,844,375), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,148, Title of Invention: "LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTORS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,085,748), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,130, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AN ANVIL THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE ABOUT A DISCRETE NON-MOVABLE AXIS RELATIVE TO A STAPLE CARTRIDGE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,245,027), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,143, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,004,501), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,117, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,943,309), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 575,154, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,968,355), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 574,493, Title of Invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,987,000), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 574,500, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,117,649).

[0025] The applicant of this application owns the following patent applications filed on March 1, 2013, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,295, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,700,309), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,323, Title of Invention: "ROTARY POWERED ARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,782,169), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,338, Title of Invention: "THUMBWHEEL SWITCH ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0249557), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,499, Title of Invention: "ELECTROMECHANICAL SURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,358,003), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,460, Title of Invention: "MULTIPLE PROCESSOR MOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,554,794), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,358, Title of Invention: "JOYSTICK SWITCH ASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,326,767), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,481, Title of Invention: "SENSOR STRAIGHTENED END EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,468,438), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,518, Title of Invention: "CONTROL METHODS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT PORTIONS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0246475), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,375, Title of Invention "ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,398,911), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 782,536, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SOFT STOP" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,307,986).

[0026] The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications filed on March 14, 2013, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,097, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,687,230), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,193, Title of Invention: "CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,332,987), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,053, Title of Invention: "INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,883,860), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,086, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014 / 0263541), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,210, Title of Invention: "SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,808,244), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,148, Title of Invention: "MULTI-FUNCTION MOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,470,762), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,066, Title of Invention: "DRIVE SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,629,623), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,117, Title of Invention: "ARTICULATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,351,726), - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,130, title of invention "DRIVE TRAIN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,351,727), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 803,159, title of invention "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,888,919).

[0027] The applicant of this application also owns the following patent application filed on March 7, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 200,111, title of invention "CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,629,629).

[0028] The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications filed on March 26, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,106, Title of Invention: "POWER MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015 / 0272582), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,099, Title of Invention: "STERILIZATION VERIFICATION CIRCUIT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,826,977), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,094, Title of Invention: "VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES / PROCEDURE COUNT" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015 / 0272580), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,117, Title of Invention: "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,013,049), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,075, Title of Invention: "MODULAR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,743,929), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,093, Title of Invention: "FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,028,761), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,116, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015 / 0272571), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,071, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,690,362), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,097, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,820,738), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,126, Title of Invention: "INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,004,497), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,133, Title of Invention: "MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015 / 0272557), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,081, Title of Invention: "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,804,618), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,076, Title of Invention: "POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,733,663), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,111, Title of Invention "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,750,499), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 226,125, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,201,364).

[0029] The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications filed on September 5, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,103, Title of Invention: "CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,111,679), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,119, Title of Invention: "ADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,724,094), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 478,908, Title of Invention: "Monitoring Device Degradation Based on Component Evaluation" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,737,301), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 478,895, Title of Invention: "Multiple Sensors with One Sensor Affecting a Second Sensor's Output or Interpretation" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,757,128), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,110, Title of Invention: "POLARITY OF HALL MAGNET TO IDENTIFY CARTRIDGE TYPE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,016,199), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,098, Title of Invention: "SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,135,242), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,115, title of invention "MULTIPLE MOTOR CONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,788,836), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 479,108, Title of Invention: "LOCAL DISPLAY OF TISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0066913).

[0030] The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications filed on April 9, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,590, Title of Invention: "MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,826,976), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,581, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE OPERATED FROM THE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,649,110), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,595, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL SYSTEM COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND DRIVE SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,844,368), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,588, Title of Invention: "POWERED LINEAR SURGICAL STAPLER" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,405,857), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,591, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A GAP SETTING SYSTEM" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,149,680), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,584, Title of Invention: "MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARY DRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,801,626), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,587, Title of Invention: "POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,867,612), - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,586, Title of Invention "DRIVE SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,136,887), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 248,607, title of invention "MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,814,460).

[0031] The applicant of this application also owns the following patent applications filed on April 16, 2013, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,365, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,376, Title of Invention: "LINEAR CUTTER WITH POWER", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,382, Title of Invention: "LINEAR CUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,385, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL", and - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 812,372, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR".

[0032] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on 28 December 2017, the entirety of each of these disclosures is incorporated herein by reference. - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,341, Title of Invention: "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL PLATFORM", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,340, Title of Invention "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS", and - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 611,339, Title of Invention: "ROBOT ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORM".

[0033] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. provisional patent applications filed on March 28, 2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,302, Title of Invention: "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH encrypted COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,294, Title of Invention: "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,300, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,309, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,310, Title of Invention: "COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,291, Title of Invention: "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,296, Title of Invention: "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,333, Title of Invention: "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,327, Title of Invention: "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,315, Title of Invention: "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,313, Title of Invention: "CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES", - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,320, Title of Invention: "Drive arrangements for robot-asposed surgical platforms," - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,307, Title of Invention: "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS", and - U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 649,323, Title of Invention: "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS".

[0034] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on March 29, 2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,641, Title of Invention: "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH encrypted COMMUNICATION CAPABILITIES" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0207911), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,648, Title of Invention: "INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS WITH CONDITION HANDLING OF DEVICES AND DATA CAPABILITIES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0206004), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,656, Title of Invention: "Surgical hub coordination of control and communication of operating room devices" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201141), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,666, Title of Invention: "Spatial awareness of surgical hubs in operating rooms" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0206551), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,670, Title of Invention: "Cooperative utilization of data derived from secondary sources by intelligent surgical hubs" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201116), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,677, Title of Invention: "Surgical hub control arrangements" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201143), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,632, Title of Invention: "DATA STRIPPING METHOD TO INTERROGATE PATIENT RECORDS AND CREATE ANONYMIZED RECORD" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0205566), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,640, Title of Invention: "Communication Hub and Storage Device for Storage Parameters and Status of a Surgical Device to Be Shared with Cloud-Based Analytical Systems" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0200863), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,645, Title of Invention: "SELF DESCRIBING DATA PACKETS GENERATED AT AN ISSUING INSTRUMENT" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,892,899), U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,649, Title of Invention: "DATA PAIRING TO INTERCONNECT A DEVICE MEASURED PARAMETER WITH AN OUTCOME" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0205567), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,654, Title of Invention "SURGICAL HUB SITUATIONAL AWARENESS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201140), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,663, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL SYSTEM DISTRIBUTED PROCESSING" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201033), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,668, Title of Invention: "AGGREGATION AND REPORTING OF SURGICAL HUB DATA" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201115), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,671, Title of Invention: "SURGICAL HUB SPATIAL AWARENESS TO DETERMINE DEVICES IN OPERATING THEATER" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201104), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,686, Title of Invention: "DISPLAY OF ALIGNMENT OF STAPLE CARTRIDGE TO PRIOR LINEAR STAPLE LINE" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201105), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,700, Title of Invention: "STERILE FIELD INTERACTIVE CONTROL DISPLAYS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0205001), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,629, Title of Invention: "COMPUTER IMPLEMENTED INTERACTIVE SURGICAL SYSTEMS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201112), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,704, Title of Invention: "USE OF LASER LIGHT AND RED-GREEN-BLUE COLORATION TO DETERMINE PROPERTIES OF BACK SCATTERED LIGHT" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0206050), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,722, Title of Invention: "Characterization of Tissue Irregularities Through the Use of Mono-Chromatic Light Refractivity" (currently U.S. Patent Application No. 2019 / 0200905), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,742, Title of Invention: "DUAL CMOS ARRAY IMAGING" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0200906).

[0035] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on March 29, 2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,636, title of invention "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL DEVICES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0206003). - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,653, title of invention "ADAPTIVE CONTROL PROGRAM UPDATES FOR SURGICAL HUBS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201114). - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,660, Title of Invention: "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR CUSTOMIZATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO A USER" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0206555), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,679, Title of Invention: "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR LINKING OF LOCAL USAGE TRENDS WITH THE RESOURCE ACQUISITION BEHAVIORS OF LARGER DATA SET" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201144), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,694, Title of Invention: "Cloud-based Medical Analytics for Medical Facility Segmented Individualization of Instrument Function" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201119), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,634, Title of Invention: "CLOUD-BASED MEDICAL ANALYTICS FOR SECURITY AND AUTHENTICATION TRENDS AND REACTIVE MEASURES" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201138), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,706, Title of Invention "DATA HANDLING AND PRIORITIZATION IN A CLOUD ANALYTICS NETWORK" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0206561), and - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,675, Title of Invention: "CLOUD INTERFACE FOR COUPLED SURGICAL DEVICES" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,849,697).

[0036] The applicant of this application owns the following U.S. patent applications filed on March 29, 2018, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,627, Title of Invention: "DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201111), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,637, Title of Invention: "COMMUNICATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS" (currently U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0201139), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,642, Title of Invention: "CONTROLS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201113), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,676, Title of Invention: "AUTOMATIC TOOL ADJUSTMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201142), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,680, Title of Invention: "CONTROLLERS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201135), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,683, Title of Invention: "Cooperative Surgical Actions for Robot-Assisted Surgical Platforms" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201145), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,690, Title of Invention: "DISPLAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR ROBOT-ASSISTED SURGICAL PLATFORMS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201118), - U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 940,711, title of invention "SENSING ARRANGEMENTS FOR Robot-Assisted Surgical PlatformS" (currently U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0201120).

[0037] Numerous specific details are described in order to provide a complete understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments, as described in the specification and shown in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements are not described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and therefore certain structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and illustrative. Modifications and changes thereto may be made without departing from the claims.

[0038] The terms “comprise” (and any form of “comprise,” such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of “have,” such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of “include,” such as “includes” and “including”), and “contain” (and any form of “contains” and “containing”) are unrestricted linking verbs. As a result, a surgical system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more elements has one or more of those elements, but is not limited to having only one or more of those elements. Similarly, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes,” or “contains” one or more features has one or more of those features, but is not limited to having only one or more of those features.

[0039] The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein in reference to the clinician operating the handle portion of a surgical instrument. “Proximal” refers to the part closest to the clinician, and “distal” refers to the part further away from the clinician. For convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “up,” and “down” may be used herein in reference to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be restrictive and / or absolute.

[0040] Various exemplary apparatuses and methods for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures are provided. However, it will be readily apparent to the reader that the various methods and apparatuses disclosed herein can be used in many surgical procedures and applications, including, for example, those related to incisional surgical procedures. By continuing to read the “Modes for Carrying Out the Invention” section herein, the reader will further understand that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into the body in any way, for example, through a pre-existing opening, through an incision or puncture hole formed in the tissue, etc. The working portion, or end-effector, of these instruments can be inserted directly into the patient’s body, or through an access device having a working passage through which the end-effector and elongated shaft of the surgical instrument can be advanced.

[0041] A surgical stapling system may comprise a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw, although other embodiments can be conceived in which the staple cartridge is not removable from the first jaw, or at least not easily replaceable from the first jaw. The second jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw about a closing axis, although other embodiments can be conceived in which the first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The surgical stapling system further comprises an articulating joint configured to rotate, i.e., articulate, the end effector relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulating axis extending through the articulating joint. Other embodiments can also be conceived in which the articulating joint is not included.

[0042] A staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between the proximal and distal ends. During use, the staple cartridge is positioned on the first side of the tissue to be stapled, and the anvil is positioned on the second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward the staple cartridge to press and clamp the tissue against the deck. Staples, which are detachably stored within the cartridge body, can then be deployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes a defined staple cavity, and staples are detachably stored within the staple cavity. The staple cavity is arranged in six longitudinal rows. Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on the first side of the longitudinal slots, and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on the second side of the longitudinal slots. Other devices for staple cavities and staples may also be possible.

[0043] The staples are supported by a staple driver within the cartridge body. The driver is movable between a first, i.e., unfired position and a second, i.e., fired position, to eject the staples from the staple cavity. The driver is held within the cartridge body by a retainer extending around the lower perimeter of the cartridge body and includes an elastic member configured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer relative to the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired and fired positions by threads. The threads are movable between a proximal position adjacent to the proximal end and a distal position adjacent to the distal end. The threads include a plurality of inclined surfaces configured to slide beneath the driver and lift the driver, on which the staples are supported and directed toward the anvil.

[0044] In addition to the above, the thread is moved distally by the launching member. The launching member is configured to contact the thread and push it toward its distal end. A longitudinal slot defined within the cartridge body is configured to receive the launching member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the launching member. The launching member further comprises a first cam that engages with a first jaw and a second cam that engages with a second jaw. When advancing the launching member distally, the first and second cams can control the distance between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil, i.e., the tissue gap. The launching member also comprises a knife configured to excise tissue trapped between the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable that the knife be positioned at least partially proximal to the inclined surface so that the staple is ejected ahead of the knife.

[0045] A surgical instrument 10000 is shown in Figure 1. The surgical instrument 10000 comprises a handle 10100 including a handle housing 10120, a shaft 10200 extending from the handle 10100, and an end effector 10400. The end effector 10400 comprises a first jaw 10410 configured to receive a staple cartridge, and a second jaw 10420 movable relative to the first jaw 10410. The second jaw 10420 comprises an anvil including a staple-forming pocket defined inside. The surgical instrument 10000 further comprises a closing actuator 10140 configured to drive the closing system of the surgical instrument 10000 and to move the second jaw 10420 between a non-clamped position and a clamped position. The closing actuator 10140 is operably coupled to a closing tube 10240 which advances distally when the closing actuator 10140 is closed. In such an example, the closing tube 10240 contacts the second jaw, causing the second jaw 10420 to cam downward and / or push to its clamped position.

[0046] In addition to the above, the second jaw 10420 is pivotably coupled to the first jaw 10410 about a pivot axis. In various embodiments, the second jaw can also be translated or rotated when moved to its clamped position. In various alternative embodiments, the surgical instrument includes a staple cartridge jaw that is movable between a non-clamped position and a clamped position relative to the anvil jaw. In any case, the handle 10100 includes a lock configured to hold the closing actuator 10140 in a releaseable position in its clamped position. The handle 10100 further includes a release actuator 10180b on the opposite side, which, when actuated, unlocks the closing actuator 10140 so that the end effector 10400 can be reopened. In various alternative embodiments, the handle 10100 includes an electric motor configured, when actuated by a clinician, to move the closing tube 10240 proximal and / or distal.

[0047] The end effector 10400 is attached to the shaft 10200 around the articulated joint 10500 and is rotatable in a plane about the articulated axis. The shaft 10200 defines a longitudinal axis, and the end effector 10400 is articulated between a non-articulated position in which the end effector 10400 is aligned with the longitudinal axis and an articulated position in which the end effector 10400 extends at an angle laterally to the longitudinal axis. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument 10000 includes, for example, a first articulated joint that enables the end effector 10400 to articulate in a first plane, and a second articulated joint that enables the end effector 10400 to articulate in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The handle 10100 comprises at least one electric motor and a control system configured to control the operation of the electric motor in response to joint motion actuators 10160 and 10170. The electric motor includes a brushless DC motor, however, the electric motor may include any suitable motor, such as a brushed DC motor.

[0048] The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 10,149,683, titled "POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM," issued on 11 December 2018, is incorporated herein by reference. The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0125481, titled "MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT," published on 10 May 2018, is incorporated herein by reference. The handle 10100 further comprises a replaceable and / or rechargeable battery 10300 that can be mounted in the handle housing to power the surgical instrument 10000. The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 8,632,525, titled "POWER CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND BATTERIES," issued on 21 January 2014, is incorporated herein by reference.

[0049] In addition to the above, the shaft 10200 is rotatable about a longitudinal axis extending through the shaft 10200. The shaft 10200 is rotatably connected to the handle 10100 around a rotary joint 10220, and the shaft 10200 has one or more finger grooves defined therein to facilitate the rotation of the shaft 10200 by a clinician using the stapling device 10000. In various embodiments, the surgical device 10000 comprises an electric motor and a rotary actuator that, when activated by a clinician, powers the electric motor to rotate the shaft 10200 in a first or second direction depending on the direction in which the rotary actuator is activated.

[0050] In addition to the above, the surgical instrument 10000 includes a staple launching drive unit configured to eject staples from a staple cartridge. The staple launching drive unit includes an electric motor and a launching member driven distally by the electric motor through a staple launching stroke. During the staple launching stroke, the launching member pushes the threads in the staple cartridge distally, thereby ejecting the staples from the staple cartridge. The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent No. 9,629,629, issued April 25, 2017, titled "CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," is incorporated herein by reference.

[0051] The surgical instrument systems described herein are operated by electric motors; however, the surgical instrument systems described herein can be driven in any preferred manner. In certain examples, the motors disclosed herein may comprise one or more parts of a robotically controlled system. For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 118,241 (currently U.S. Patent No. 9,072,535), entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, discloses in more detail several examples of robotic surgical instrument systems, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. International Publication No. 2017 / 083125, published May 18, 2017, title of invention "STAPLER WITH COMPOSITE CARDAN AND SCREW DRIVE"; International Publication No. 2017 / 083126, published May 18, 2017, title of invention "STAPLE PUSHER WITH LOST MOTION BETWEEN RAMPS"; International Publication No. 2015 / 153642, published October 8, 2015, title of invention "SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH SHIFTABLE TRANSMISSION"; U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0265954, filed March 17, 2017, title of invention "STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DUAL DISTAL The disclosures of "PULLEYS" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,350,016), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0265865, filed February 15, 2017, with the title of the invention "STAPLER WITH CABLE-DRIVEN ADVANCEABLE CLAMPING ELEMENT AND DISTAL PULLEY" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,631,858), and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0290586, filed March 29, 2017, with the title of the invention "STAPLING CARTRIDGE" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,722,233) are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0052] Various embodiments disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with robotic surgical systems, such as the robotic system 1000 shown in Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 shows a master controller 5001 which may be used with the robotic arm cart 5100 shown in Figure 2. The master controller 5001 and the robotic arm cart 5100, as well as their individual components and control systems, are collectively referred to herein as the robotic surgical system 5000. Examples of such systems and devices are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,524,320, titled "MECHANICAL ACTUATOR INTERFACE SYSTEM FOR ROBOTIC SURGICAL TOOLS," and U.S. Patent No. 9,072,535, titled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS" (each incorporated herein in its entirety by reference). Details of such systems and devices are not repeated here for brevity. The master controller 5001 includes a control unit 5003 which is grasped and operated by the surgeon while the surgeon views the patient via the display 1002. The control unit 5003 may, for example, include a manual input device that moves with multiple degrees of freedom, and may further include an actuated trigger for activating a surgical instrument or tool, for example, to close a grasping jaw, staple and incise tissue, and / or apply an electric potential to an electrode.

[0053] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the robotic arm cart 5100 is configured to actuate one or more surgical instruments, such as surgical instruments 6000, in response to input from, for example, a master controller 5001. In various forms, the robotic arm cart 5100 includes a base 5002, an arm linkage mechanism including a setup joint 5104, and an instrument manipulator 5106. Such a configuration can facilitate the rotation of the surgical instrument 6000 around a point in space, as fully described in U.S. Patent No. 5,817,084, title of the invention, “REMOTE CENTER POSITIONING DEVICE WITH FLEXIBLE DRIVE,” whose entire disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. This configuration provides pivotal rotation of the surgical instrument 6000 around axis 5112a or the pitch axis. This arrangement also provides rotation of the surgical instrument 6000 around axis 5112b or the yaw axis. The pitch axis 5112a and the yaw axis 5112b intersect at a remote center 5114 aligned along the shaft of the surgical instrument 6000. The surgical instrument 6000 may have further degrees of freedom of movement, including sliding motion along the longitudinal axis LT-LT. When the surgical instrument 6000 slides relative to the manipulator 5106 along the longitudinal axis LT-LT of the instrument (arrow 5112c), the remote center 5114 remains fixed relative to the base 5116 of the manipulator 5106. To move the remote center 5114, a linkage mechanism 5108 is driven by one or more motors 5120 that move the linkage mechanism 5108 in response to a command from the master controller 5001 to position and / or manipulate the surgical instrument 6000 within the surgical site. Various other configurations are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 5,878,193, titled “AUTOMATED ENDOSCOPE SYSTEM FOR OPTIMAL POSITIONING,” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0054] In addition, while data communication between robot components and the processor of the robotic surgical system is described herein primarily in relation to communication between surgical instruments or tools and the master controller 5001, it should be understood that similar communication may also occur between circuits such as manipulators, setup fittings, endoscopes or other imaging devices and the processor of the robotic surgical system for purposes such as evaluating the suitability of components, identifying the type of components, calibrating components (such as offsets), and confirming the coupling of components with the robotic surgical system. In at least one aspect, the various surgical instruments disclosed herein may be used in conjunction with other robotic control or automated surgical systems and are not necessarily limited to use with the specific robotic system components shown in Figures 1 to 3, as described in the aforementioned references. Various robotic surgical systems and methods are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,132,368, titled "MULTI-COMPONENT TELEPRESENCE SYSTEM AND METHOD," the full disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0055] A staple cartridge 11000 is shown in Figures 5-5C. The staple cartridge 11000 comprises a cartridge body 11100 having a proximal end 11110 and a distal end 11120. The cartridge body 11100 further comprises a deck 11130 extending between the proximal end 11110 and the distal end 11120, and a staple cavity 11140 defined within the deck 11130. The staple cavity 11140 is arranged in longitudinal rows on both sides of a longitudinal slot 11150 defined within the cartridge body 11100. The longitudinal slot 11150 is configured to receive a tissue cutting knife that is pushed distally during the staple firing stroke to cut tissue captured against the deck 11130 of the staple cartridge 11000. The staple cartridge 11000 further comprises staples 11200 positioned within each staple cavity 11140, and a staple driver 11300 that supports the staples 11200 and pushes the staples 11200 out of the staple cavity 11140 during the staple firing stroke. The staple cartridge 11000 further comprises a thread 11400, which is pushed distally by the firing member of the staple firing drive unit to contact the staple driver 11300 during the staple firing stroke, lifting it toward the deck 11130 of the cartridge body 11100. The staple cartridge 11000 further comprises a pan 11700 attached to the cartridge body 11100, which is configured to hold the driver 11300 and / or staples 11200 so as not to fall from the bottom of the cartridge body 11100.

[0056] The staple cartridge 11000 further comprises an electronic circuit. Although not shown in Figures 5 to 5C, the staple cartridge 11000 comprises an electronic circuit 11500 shown in Figures 11 to 11C. Referring to Figures 11 to 11C, the electronic circuit 11500 comprises a proximal end 11510 and a second end 11520. The proximal end 11510 comprises a cartridge antenna 11530 positioned to communicate with the instrument antenna 10530 of the surgical instrument 10000 when the staple cartridge 11000 is placed on the jaws 10410 of the end effector 10400. The electronic circuit 11500 comprises a flexible substrate such as a flex circuit, conductive traces defined in and / or on the flexible substrate, and electronic components mounted on the flexible substrate that electrically communicate with the conductive traces. In various embodiments, the electronic circuit 11500 comprises an insulator, conductive traces defined in and / or on the insulator, and electronic components mounted on a flexible substrate that electrically communicate with the conductive traces.

[0057] In addition to the above, referring again to Figures 11 to 11C, the electronic circuit 11500 is embedded in the cartridge body 11100. The cartridge body 11100 has a circuit slot 11160 defined within the deck 11130, and the electronic circuit 11500 is located within the circuit slot 11160. The cartridge body 11100 further includes a first lateral side 11170, a second lateral side 11180, and a distal portion 11120 connecting the first lateral side 11170 and the second lateral side 11180. The circuit slot 11160 extends proximally around and / or between the longitudinal rows of staple cavities 11140 on the first lateral side 11170 of the cartridge body 11100, around the distal portion 11120, and then into the second lateral side 11180. Similar to the first lateral side portion 11170, the circuit slot 11160 extends around / between the longitudinal rows of staple cavities 11140 on the second lateral side portion 11180. As a result of this arrangement, the electronic circuit 11500 can extend into both lateral sides of the cartridge body 11100 without having to cross the longitudinal slot 11150. Furthermore, such an arrangement allows the electronic circuit 11500 to extend into the distal portion 11120 of the cartridge body 11100. In various embodiments, the electronic circuit 11500 is embedded within the cartridge body 11100. In at least one such embodiment, the electronic circuit 11500 is snap-fitted and / or pressure-fitted to the jaws 11160. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge body 11100 is made of injection-molded plastic over at least a portion of the electronic circuit 11500.

[0058] In various embodiments, referring again to Figures 11-11C, the staple cartridge 11000 includes an elastomer connector that mechanically and electrically connects the sensor 11600 to the cartridge body 11100. In at least one embodiment, the elastomer connector includes conductive and insulating regions in the rubber or elastomer matrix to produce overall anisotropic conductive properties. The matrix is ​​molded into a three-dimensional shape and then attached to the cartridge body 11100. In various embodiments, the shape of the matrix conforms to the features on the cartridge body. In at least one embodiment, short, thin metal wires are embedded in a rubber sheet to connect the sensor 11600 to the control system of the staple cartridge 11000. In at least one instance, the metal wires are made of, for example, silver. In at least one instance, the density of metal wires in the matrix is, for example, about 300 wires / cm² to about 2000 wires / cm². On the surface of the rubber sheet, the ends of the wires either extend outward from the surface or are folded back toward the rubber substrate. At least one material that is a trademark of ZEBRA is available from Fuji Polymer Industries Company.

[0059] In various embodiments, the sensor system comprises multiple sections selectively powered by a control system for the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the sensor system comprises a first sensor section and a second sensor section, and the processor of the control system is configured, for example, to power only the first sensor section during a first operating mode, to power only the second sensor section during a second operating mode, and to power both sensor sections during a third operating mode. Such embodiments can, in particular, reduce the amount of heat generated by the staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the first sensor section and the second sensor section comprise the same number of sensors, while in other embodiments, the first sensor section and the second sensor section have different numbers of sensors. In one embodiment, the first sensor section comprises connecting wires of a first density, and the second sensor section comprises connecting wires of a second density different from the first density.

[0060] Referring to Figure 6, the cartridge antenna 11530 comprises a coil 11540 defined in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the coil 10540 of the instrument antenna 10530. The coils 10540 and 11540 are sized, configured, and positioned to provide sufficient and / or optimal transfer coefficients so that data and / or power can be efficiently transmitted between the instrument antenna 10530 and the cartridge antenna 11530. In various cases, the instrument coil 10540 includes a primary coil and the cartridge coil 11540 includes a secondary coil, and during use, power is transmitted wirelessly from the instrument coil 10540 to the cartridge coil 11540. In at least this embodiment, data signals can also be transmitted between the instrument coil 10540 and the cartridge coil 11540. More specifically, data signals can be transmitted from the surgical instrument 10000 to the staple cartridge 11000 and / or from the staple cartridge 11000 to the surgical instrument 10000. Using any suitable software protocol and / or hardware components, the transmission of power and data across a pair of coils, including the fixture coil 10540 and the cartridge coil 11540, can be coordinated. In at least one embodiment, the power and data signals are transmitted simultaneously between the fixture coil 10540 and the cartridge coil 11540. In at least one alternative embodiment, referring to Figure 7, the power and data signals are transmitted sequentially between the fixture coil 10540 and the cartridge coil 11540. In various embodiments, the fixture antenna 10530 and / or the cartridge antenna 11530 include, for example, a multiplexer that coordinates the transmission of signals between antennas 10530 and 11530.

[0061] Referring again to Figure 6, the surgical instrument 10000 includes a processor 10610 that communicates with the instrument antenna 10530. In at least one embodiment, the processor 10610 includes, for example, a near-field communication (NFC) reader chip. The NFC reader chip uses, for example, high-frequency radio frequency identification at a frequency of 13.56 MHz with a data transfer rate of about 426 kbits / second. In various cases, the processor 10610 includes, for example, a low-frequency RFID reader that communicates at a frequency of about 120 kHz to about 150 kHz. In various cases, the processor 10610 includes, for example, a high-frequency RFID reader that communicates at a frequency of about 13.6 MHz. In various cases, the processor 10610 includes, for example, an ultra-high frequency RFID reader that communicates at a frequency of about 868 MHz. The entire disclosure of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2020 / 0405301, titled "METHOD FOR AUTHENTICATING THE COMPATIBILITY OF A STAPLE CARTRIDGE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT," published on December 31, 2020, is incorporated herein by reference. In various cases, the processor 10610 includes, for example, a Bluetooth component that communicates at a frequency of about 2.4 GHz. In various cases, the processor 10610 includes, for example, a Qi wireless charging component that communicates at a frequency of about 105 kHz to about 205 kHz. In any case, the processor 10610 includes input and output channels that communicate with the instrument antenna 10530, which facilitate direct peer-to-peer communication with an NFC tag that communicates with, for example, the cartridge antenna 11530, as described below.

[0062] In addition to the above, the instrument antenna 10530 is configured to supply power and data signals to the staple cartridge 11000 via the cartridge antenna 11530. As described above, the staple cartridge circuit 11500 comprises a plurality of sensors 11600 that measure at least one characteristic of the staple cartridge 11000 and / or at least one characteristic of the tissue supported by the staple cartridge 11000. In at least one embodiment, the sensors 11600 include, for example, a capacitive sensor configured to detect the thickness of the tissue and / or the amount of fluid or edema contained in the tissue. In at least one embodiment, the sensors 11600 include, for example, a resistance sensor such as a strain gauge that measures strain or force load within the cartridge body 11100. In any case, the sensors 11600 require power to measure characteristics and generate an output voltage detectable by the cartridge processor 11610 of the staple cartridge 11000. During use, power is delivered from the instrument coil 10540 to the cartridge coil 11540, rectified by the rectifier 11620, and then filtered by the capacitor 11630 before being supplied to the sensor 11600. The rectifier 11620 is configured to rectify the AC input to a DC output for at least one of its output channels. In various cases, the rectifier 11620 is also configured to conduct the AC input to at least one of its output channels without rectification. The capacitor 11630 may include a low-pass filter and / or high-pass filter that can filter out noise and / or external signals received by the cartridge antenna 11530. Using the above configuration and / or any other suitable configuration, appropriate potential and current can be supplied to the sensor 11600 and / or the cartridge processor 11610. The output voltage of the sensor 11600 is supplied to the input gate of the cartridge processor 11610.In at least one instance, the processor 11610 includes a multiplexer (MUX) configured to adjust, for example, the output signal of the sensor 11600 into a single data signal that is sent back to the instrument antenna 10530 via the cartridge antenna 11530.

[0063] In addition to the above, the staple cartridge 11000 includes an instrument antenna 10530, a rectifier 11620, a processor 11610, and an NFC tag 11640 that communicates with the cartridge antenna 11530. The NFC tag 11640 has an input that communicates with the rectifier 11620, which is configured to control and / or limit the potential applied to the NFC tag 11640. In at least one case, the NFC tag 11640 has its own rectifier. Upon receiving an input from the rectifier 11620, the NFC tag 11640 is configured to output a data signal containing data about the staple cartridge 11000 to the cartridge antenna 11530. The NFC tag 11640 internally stores information containing the data signal that identifies the staple cartridge 11000 stored inside it. The data signal output by the NFC tag 11640 is transmitted to the instrument antenna 10530 via the cartridge antenna 11530, and then to a control system of the surgical instrument 10000, such as the instrument processor 10610, to verify or authenticate the identification of the staple cartridge 11000.

[0064] In various cases, in addition to the above, many different types of staple cartridges may be used with the surgical instrument 10000. For example, some staple cartridges may not have a sensor array, while other staple cartridges, such as staple cartridge 11000, may have one or more sensor arrays. If a staple cartridge does not include a sensor array, it may not require or be able to use the power that can be supplied by the surgical instrument 10000. Therefore, the control system of the surgical instrument 10000 is configured to supply or not supply a power signal to the staple cartridge installed in the surgical instrument 10000 if the staple cartridge does not respond appropriately to the query signal supplied to the staple cartridge by the surgical instrument 10000 during the query procedure. After the staple cartridge has been installed in the surgical instrument 10000, in at least one such case, the control system of the surgical instrument 10000 can instruct the instrument processor 10610 to transmit the query signal that is emitted to and received by the cartridge antenna 11530 to the instrument antenna 10530. In various cases, the query signal is emitted at a low power, for example, about 10mW to about 30mW, at a frequency that passes through filtering in the cartridge circuit 11500 so that the query signal reaches the NFC tag 11640. When the NFC tag 11640 receives the query signal, it is configured to transmit a response signal to the cartridge antenna 11530. The response signal is emitted by the cartridge antenna 11530, received by the instrument antenna 10530, and conducted to the instrument processor 10610. If the response signal received by the instrument processor 10610 matches the response signal expected by the instrument processor, the staple cartridge 11000 is identified or authenticated by the surgical instrument 10000, and the instrument processor 10610 can supply a high-wattage power signal to the instrument antenna 10530 to power the staple cartridge 11000. In at least one case, the high-wattage power signal may be, for example, about 1W and / or more than 1W.In various cases, the wattage of the power signal supplied to the instrument antenna 10530 may depend on the identified staple cartridge. For example, if a first type of staple cartridge is identified, a first wattage is used, and if a second type of staple cartridge is identified, a second or different wattage is used. However, the control system of the surgical instrument 10000 is configured not to supply a power signal to the instrument antenna 10530 if no response signal is received from the staple cartridge. If a response signal is received from a staple cartridge installed in the surgical instrument 10000 but is not recognized, the control system may be configured to perform one of two responses. In the first case, the control system is configured not to supply a power signal to the staple cartridge if the received response signal is not recognized, and in the second case, the control system is configured to supply a low-power signal if the received response signal is not recognized. In at least one case, the low-power signal may be, for example, about 0.1W. In such cases, the sensor and electronic circuitry can be sufficiently powered to transmit return data signals, including data from the sensor, while reducing the risk of supplying excessive power to the staple cartridge.

[0065] In various cases, the surgical instrument 10000 is configured to initiate a cartridge query routine when the surgical instrument 10000 is first powered on and / or when the surgical instrument 10000 is woken up from a low-power sleep mode. In such cases, the surgical instrument 10000 queries the staple cartridge to determine whether to supply power to the staple cartridge and the level of power to supply to the surgical instrument 10000. However, without additional information, the control system of the surgical instrument 10000 may not be able to distinguish whether the staple cartridge is identifiable or completely missing if no response signal is received following the query signal. For this purpose, the surgical instrument 10000 includes a cartridge presence sensor configured to detect whether a staple cartridge is installed in the cartridge jaw of the end effector 10400. In at least one case, the cartridge presence sensor includes, for example, a Hall effect sensor mounted in the cartridge jaw of the end effector 10400, configured to detect metallic elements within the staple cartridge. In at least one case, the cartridge presence sensor includes a pressure sensor that compresses the staple cartridge when it is in place in the cartridge jaw of the end effector 10400. In either case, the cartridge presence sensor communicates with the control system of the surgical instrument 10000. If the control system receives a signal that the staple cartridge is in place in the cartridge jaw but does not receive a response signal from the staple cartridge, in various cases the control system does not supply a power signal to the staple cartridge but allows the surgical instrument 10000 to operate to fire staples from the staple cartridge. If the control system receives a signal that the staple cartridge is missing from the cartridge jaw, the control system does not supply a power signal and electronically locks out the staple firing system until the staple cartridge is in place in the cartridge jaw.

[0066] Referring again to Figure 6, when the staple cartridge 11000 is installed in the cartridge jaw of the surgical instrument 10000, power signals and data signals can be transmitted simultaneously from the instrument antenna 10530 to the cartridge antenna 11530. Furthermore, while power is transmitted from the surgical instrument 10000 to the staple cartridge 11000, data signals can also be transmitted from the staple cartridge 11000 to the surgical instrument 10000. Referring now to Figure 7, the control system of the surgical instrument 10000' is configured and arranged to intermittently supply power and data signals to the staple cartridge 11000'. In at least one example, the control system is configured to alternately deliver low-power and high-power signals to the instrument antenna 10530 to transmit data and power, respectively, to the electronic circuit 11500' of the staple cartridge 11000', but not simultaneously. In at least one such example, the control system delivers, for example, a low-power signal with about 0.1W of power and a high-power signal with more than 1W of power. As described above in relation to Figure 6, the instrument processor 10610 includes an NFC reader chip that simultaneously generates both power and data signals and supplies them to the staple cartridge 11000. Meanwhile, Figure 7 shows a control system that includes an NFC reader chip 10610' that generates data signals and a separate power driver 10620' that generates power signals. The NFC reader chip 10610' and power driver 10620' are configured to communicate with the instrument antenna 10530 and sequentially supply the separate data and power signals to the cartridge antenna 11530 via the instrument antenna 10530. In at least one case, the NFC reader chip 10610' and power driver 10620' communicate with a multiplexer, for example, which coordinates the sequential transmission of data and power signals to the staple cartridge 11000'.

[0067] As described above in relation to Figure 7, data signals and power signals are transmitted alternately between the surgical instrument and the staple cartridge 11000'. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument supplies power to the staple cartridge 11000' until the instrument processor has data to transmit to the staple cartridge 11000'. At such a point, the instrument processor stops the power signal and then emits a data signal. After the instrument processor emits the data signal, it is configured to resume the power signal. The data signal and power signal are transmitted at different frequencies, but in other embodiments they can be emitted at the same frequency. In any case, the power signal is emitted at a higher intensity than the data signal. In various embodiments, the processor of the staple cartridge 11000' is configured to emit a pause signal to the surgical instrument when the processor has data to transmit to the surgical instrument. After receiving the pause signal, the instrument processor stops the power signal or does not generate a power signal until it receives data from the staple cartridge 11000'. In at least one such embodiment, the surgical instrument may, after receiving a pause signal from the staple cartridge, send a pause signal back to the staple cartridge 11000'. Upon receiving a pause signal from the surgical instrument, the staple cartridge is configured to send a data signal to the surgical instrument.

[0068] Referring here to Figures 8 and 8A, the surgical instrument 10000" comprises a data antenna 10530" and a separate power transmission antenna 10535" used to communicate with and power a staple cartridge 11000" mounted on the cartridge jaw of the surgical instrument 10000". The data antenna 10530" communicates with an NFC reader chip 10610'. The power driver 10620' communicates with the power transmission antenna 10535". The data antenna 10530" comprises a coil 10540" which aligns with the coil 11540" of the cartridge data antenna 11530" when the staple cartridge 11000" is mounted on the cartridge jaw. In at least one case, the coil 10540" is wound in a plane parallel to, or at least substantially parallel to, the plane defining the cartridge coil 11540". The instrument coil 10540" and the cartridge coil 11540" are the same size, or at least substantially the same size, but may be any preferred size. The instrument coil 10540" comprises a primary coil having a first number of windings, and the cartridge coil 11540" comprises a secondary coil having a second number of windings, which is greater than the first number of windings, in at least one embodiment. Such a configuration can improve the transmission coefficient between the instrument data antenna 10530" and the cartridge data antenna 11530". The power transmission antenna 10535" includes a coil 10545" that aligns with the coil 11545" of the cartridge power antenna 11535" when the staple cartridge 11000" is installed in the cartridge jaw. In at least one instance, the fixture coil 10545" is wound in a plane parallel to, or at least substantially parallel to, the plane defining the cartridge coil 11545". The fixture coil 10545" and the cartridge coil 11545" are the same size, or at least substantially the same size, but may be any preferred size. The fixture coil 10545" includes a primary coil having a first number of windings, and the cartridge coil 11545" includes a secondary coil having a second number of windings, which is greater than the first number of windings, in at least one embodiment.Such an arrangement can improve the transmission coefficient between the power transmission antenna 10535" and the cartridge power antenna 11535".

[0069] In addition to the above, the staple cartridge 11000” comprises a rectifier 11620 and a capacitor 11630 that communicate with the cartridge power antenna 11535”. Similarly, the rectifier 11620 and capacitor 11630 are configured to rectify, filter, and / or modify the power signal supplied from the power transmission antenna 10535” to the staple cartridge 11000” before power is supplied to the sensors of the staple cartridge 11000”. The staple cartridge 11000” further comprises an NFC tag 11640 that communicates with the cartridge data antenna 11530”. Similarly, the control system of the surgical instrument 10000” receives queries generated by the NFC reader chip 10610” and sent to the NFC tag 11640 via the coupled data antennas 10530” and 11530”. A query can be made to the NFC tag 11640 using a query signal. Upon receiving the query signal, the NFC tag 11640 is configured to generate a response signal that is sent back to the NFC reader chip 10610' via the coupled data antennas 10530'' and 11530''. The NFC tag 11640 also communicates with the cartridge processor 11610'' of the staple cartridge 1100'', which is configured to receive data from the cartridge sensor as described above, generate a data signal containing the sensor data, and supply the data signal to the NFC tag 11640 and the cartridge data antenna 11530''. The data signals supplied to the cartridge data antenna 11530" are transmitted to the NFC reader chip 10610" via the instrument data antenna 10530" and then used by the control system to interpret the characteristics of the tissue captured for, for example, a surgical instrument 10000", a staple cartridge 11000", and / or a staple cartridge 11000". In particular, the cartridge processor 11610" also communicates with the cartridge power antenna 11535" of the staple cartridge 11000", and in various embodiments, power can be supplied from the cartridge power antenna 11535" to the NFC tag 11640.

[0070] As detailed above, the surgical instrument 10000" and the staple cartridge 11000" include a first pair of antenna systems for communicating data and a second pair of antenna systems for communicating power. In various embodiments, the first pair of antenna systems is located on the first lateral side 11170 of the staple cartridge 11000", and the second pair of antenna systems is located on the second or opposite lateral side 11180 of the staple cartridge 11000". In at least one such embodiment, the cartridge jaw of the surgical instrument 10000” comprises a bottom wall and a channel including a first lateral wall extending from a first side of the bottom wall and a second lateral wall extending from a second side or the opposite side of the bottom wall. When the staple cartridge 11000” is placed in the cartridge jaw, the staple cartridge 11000” is positioned between the first lateral wall and the second lateral wall, and the snap mechanism and / or locking mechanism of the staple cartridge 11000” engage with the cartridge jaw to release the staple cartridge 11000” into its fixed position within the cartridge jaw. It is pushed downward toward the bottom wall until it locks into place. In at least one such embodiment, the first instrument antenna is mounted on the first side wall, the second instrument antenna is mounted on the second side wall, and furthermore, the first cartridge antenna is mounted on the first lateral side of the cartridge body, and the second cartridge antenna is mounted on the second lateral side of the cartridge body. When the staple cartridge 11000" is installed in the cartridge jaw, the first cartridge antenna aligns with the first instrument antenna, and similarly, the second cartridge antenna aligns with the second instrument antenna. By positioning the first pair antenna system on one lateral side and the second pair antenna system on the opposite lateral side, the possibility of one pair antenna system interfering with the other is reduced. In various cases, the first pair antenna system is operated within a first frequency range, and the second pair antenna system is operated within a second or different frequency range that does not overlap with the first frequency range, thereby reducing the possibility of one pair antenna system interfering with the other.For this purpose, in addition to the above, the instrument antenna and / or cartridge antenna may include one or more capacitors capable of filtering frequencies outside the intended operating frequency range for each of the paired antenna systems.

[0071] In various cases, in addition to the above, the cartridge data antenna 11530" is mounted on the first lateral side of the cartridge body 11100, and the cartridge power antenna 11535" is mounted on the second lateral side of the cartridge body 11100. More specifically, the coils 11540" and 11545" of the antennas 11530" and 11535" are mounted on the proximal ends of their respective sides, that is, they are positioned much closer to the proximal end 11110 of the staple cartridge 11000" than to the distal end 11120". As a result, the cartridge data antenna 11530" and the cartridge power antenna 11535" can be shorter than when they are positioned at the distal end 11120 of the staple cartridge 11000", and are therefore less susceptible to interference. In various alternative embodiments, coils 11540” and 11545” are mounted on or near the centerline between the proximal end 11110 and the distal end 11120 of the staple cartridge 11000”. In such configurations, the distance between the cartridge data coil 11540” and the sensor mounted on the cartridge body 11100 can be shorter compared to the case where the cartridge data coil 11540” is mounted on the proximal end 11110 of the cartridge body 11100, thereby reducing the possibility of the sensor output being corrupted before it is processed and transmitted through the cartridge data coil 11540”.

[0072] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, coils 11540” and 11545” are mounted in the cartridge body 11100 and / or pan 11700 (Figure 5A) of the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge body 11100 includes a recessed pocket defined on its lateral side, and coils 11540” and 11545” are positioned within the recessed pocket. In at least one such embodiment, a sealing material is injected into the recessed pocket to fix, seal, and / or protect the coils 11540” and 11545” within the pocket. The sealing material may include, for example, a sealing adhesive such as TECHNOMELT from Eastern Adhesive Systems Technology, Inc., a photocurable acrylic adhesive such as LOCTITE 3321 from Henkel Corporation, or, for example, wax and / or paraffin. In various cases, the sealing material may include an air-curing material.

[0073] In various embodiments, the antenna coils 11540” and 11545” are sealed into the cartridge body using one or more manufacturing processes. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge body 11100 is formed by a two-shot injection molding process. In at least one such embodiment, a first plastic component or core is molded during a first injection molding process, the coils 11540” and 11545” are attached to the core, and a second injection molding process is then used to at least partially cover, seal, encapsulate, and / or protect the coils 11540” and 11545”. In at least one embodiment, the coils 11540” and 11545” are positioned in recesses or pockets defined in the cartridge body, and a cover that at least partially covers, seals, encapsulates, and / or protects the coils 11540” and 11545” is attached to the cartridge body 11100. In at least one such embodiment, the cover is snap-fitted and / or press-fitted onto the cartridge body 11100. In a particular embodiment, an ultrasonic crimping process is used to attach the cover to the cartridge body 11000.

[0074] The materials and methods described above for attaching the antenna coils 11540” and 11545” to the cartridge body 11100 can also be used to attach RFID tags to the thread 11400 and / or staple driver 11300. In such embodiments, the position and / or movement of the thread 11400 and / or staple driver 11300 can be tracked by the control system of the staple cartridge 11000 using RFID tags attached to and / or embedded in the thread 11400 and / or staple driver 11300.

[0075] As described above, the surgical instrument 10000 comprises a shaft 10200 extending distally from the instrument housing, configured to be mounted on a handle and / or the arm of a robotic surgical system. In various cases, the shaft 10200, handle 10100, instrument housing, and / or robotic surgical system may include an instrument processor that communicates with a staple cartridge via one or more pairs of antennas, as described above. To facilitate communication between the instrument processor and the cartridge processor, the shaft 10200 comprises a wiring harness including instrument antennas. In at least one such embodiment, the wiring harness comprises a flex circuit 10900 (Figure 11B) comprising a flexible substrate and conductive wires or traces extending within the flexible substrate. In various embodiments, the flex circuit 10900 comprises, for example, a stack of conductive and insulating layers. Referring to Figure 8C, the distal end of the flex circuit of the surgical instrument 10000" includes coils 11540" and 11545" comprising wires embedded within the non-conductive substrate of the flex circuit.

[0076] In addition to the above, the distal end of the flex circuit is attached to the sidewall of the first jaw 10410, for example, by one or more adhesives. In at least one embodiment, a ferrite component may be mounted on and / or embedded in the substrate of the flex circuit to control the field radiated by coils 11540" and 11545". In at least one embodiment, the ferrite component is positioned between the first jaw 10410 and coils 11540" and 11545". Furthermore, electronic components that adjust and / or amplify the signals emitted by coils 11540" and 11545" may be mounted on and / or embedded in the substrate of the flex circuit. In at least one such embodiment, one or more capacitors are embedded in the flex circuit to filter out low and / or high frequencies. Furthermore, in at least one such embodiment, one or more amplification circuits are embedded in the flex circuit, which can boost and / or control the power of the signals emitted by coils 11540" and 11545". In various embodiments, the first jaw 10410 and / or the second jaw 10420 are made of metal and are configured to minimize the influence of the metal jaws on the fields emitted by coils 11540" and 11545". In at least one embodiment, the cross section of the metal jaw is designed to produce a uniform or substantially uniform area that shields or substantially shields external signals from interfering with the signals in the end effector 10400.

[0077] In an embodiment in which coils 11540" and 11545" are mounted on the cartridge body 11000 and coils 10540" and 10545" are mounted on the first jaw 10410, the pan 11700 may have one or more windows defined therein such that coils 10540" and 11540" of the data coil set have a direct line of sight to each other, and coils 10545" and 11545" of the power coil set have a direct line of sight to each other.

[0078] In various embodiments, the antenna of the surgical instrument 10000” and / or the antenna of the staple cartridge 11000” includes a coil antenna. However, the surgical instrument and / or staple cartridge may be equipped with any preferred type of antenna. In at least one example, the surgical instrument and / or staple cartridge may be equipped with a slot antenna. In at least one such embodiment, the slot antenna comprises a flat plate with one or more holes or slots cut out. One or more slot antennas may be mounted on the side wall and / or bottom wall of the first jaw 10410, while one or more slot antennas may be mounted on the pan 11700. In various embodiments, the slot antenna may be formed integrally with the first jaw 10410 and / or pan 11700, for example.

[0079] In various embodiments, surgical instruments and / or staple cartridges may include an active offsetting system that includes a control system for monitoring the environmental magnetic field and / or electric field and their frequencies, and for emitting signals through one or more antennas to offset or at least partially offset the environmental field.

[0080] In various embodiments, the cartridge body of the staple cartridge includes a conductive trace plated on a plastic substrate, which can be made from a liquid crystal polymer such as VECTRA from Ticona, for example. In at least one embodiment, the conductive trace is, for example, electroplated onto a plastic substrate and / or plated onto a plastic substrate using a vapor deposition process. In at least one embodiment, the electroplated trace consists of, for example, conductive ink printed on a plastic substrate. In various cases, the trace consists of, for example, silver and / or copper. In various embodiments, the cartridge body includes a recess defined in the plastic substrate, and the conductive trace is plated onto the plastic substrate within the recess. In at least one embodiment, the recess is laser-etched into the plastic substrate. In various embodiments, a non-conductive material is printed on the conductive trace to cover the conductive trace where it is undesirable for a tissue to come into contact with the conductive trace, for example. Such a non-conductive material can also control the field generated by the conductive trace. In various embodiments, the plastic substrate is formed by a three-dimensional printing process using non-conductive and conductive materials such as graphene-embedded polylactic acid (PLA). In at least one such embodiment, the conductive material is printed onto a conductive trace that is at least partially embedded in a non-conductive material.

[0081] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, the staple cavities 11140 are arranged in three longitudinal rows on the first side of the cartridge deck 11130 and in three longitudinal rows on the second side of the cartridge deck 11130. After the staple firing stroke is performed, the patient tissue is incised with three rows of staples on both sides of the incision to seal the tissue or at least substantially seal it. However, it has been demonstrated that embedding two rows of staples instead of three rows on both sides of the incision is clinically acceptable. Therefore, the third row of staples does not need to include a continuous row of staples. Instead, in at least one embodiment, at least some of the staple cavities 11140 in the outermost row house sensors in place of staples and staple drivers. In at least one such embodiment, force sensing sensors are located within the staple cavity 11140. The force sensor comprises a tissue contact element that is slidable within the staple cavity 11140, the tissue contact element being sized and configured to coincide with, or at least substantially coincide with, the periphery of the staple cavity 11140 such that the movement of the tissue contact element is restricted to, or at least substantially restricted to, the injection axis of the staple cavity 11140. The force sensor further comprises a base mounted on the cartridge deck 11130 and a spring, such as a linear coil spring, positioned midway between the base and the tissue contact element. When the end effector 10400 is clamped to patient tissue, the tissue comes into contact with the tissue contact element, compressing the spring. The force sensor further includes a magnetic element mounted on the tissue contact element, the movement of which is detectable and measurable by, for example, a Hall effect circuit in the cartridge deck 11130. The Hall effect circuit communicates with a cartridge processor, which is configured to analyze the voltage output to determine whether tissue is present on the force sensor and to evaluate the force being applied to the tissue by the force sensor. The staple cartridge 11000 can include any preferred number of force sensors.For example, in at least one embodiment, both of the outermost rows of the staple cavity 11140 include a sensor at the distal end of the staple cartridge 11000, a sensor at the proximal end of the staple cartridge 11000, and at least one sensor positioned between the distal and proximal sensors. As described above, the staple cartridge may contain any suitable type and / or any number of sensors within the staple cavity.

[0082] In at least one embodiment, in addition to the above, some of the staple cavities 11300 may include a typical staple driver located therein but not a staple, and at least a portion of a sensor extending over the staple cavity. In at least one such embodiment, the portion of the sensor extending over the staple cavity is fragile and configured to break or snap when the staple driver is driven upward toward the anvil during a staple firing stroke. Such a configuration can be used to gradually disconnect the sensor from the cartridge processor as the staple firing stroke progresses. Such a configuration can be used, among other things, to conserve processing power and / or to track the progress of the staple firing stroke.

[0083] U.S. Patent No. 8,622,274, Title of Invention: "MOTORIZED CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR OPTIMIZING BATTERY USAGE", U.S. Patent No. 10,135,242, Title of Invention: "SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION", U.S. Patent No. 10,548,504, Title of Invention: "OVERLAID MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUE COMPRESSION", U.S. Patent No. 9,993,248, Title of Invention: "SMART SENSORS WITH LOCAL SIGNAL PROCESSING", U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2016 / 0256071, Title of Invention: "OVERLAID MULTI SENSOR RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) ELECTRODE SYSTEM TO MEASURE TISSUE The entire disclosures of "COMPRESION" (currently U.S. Patent No. 10,548,504), U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0168625, titled "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH SMART STAPLE CARTRIDGES", U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0250002, titled "POWERED SURGICAL DEVICES HAVING TISSUE SENSING FUNCTION", and International Publication No. 2018 / 049206, titled "STAPLER RELOAD DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION", are incorporated herein by reference.

[0084] In various cases, referring to Figure 9, the staple cartridge 12000 comprises a mutually independent identification circuit 12100 and a power supply circuit 12200. The identification circuit 12100 includes, for example, a passive RFID system 12110 that is energized when an inquiry signal is transmitted from the equipment data antenna 10530” to the cartridge data antenna 11530”. The identification circuit 12100 is built-in and does not receive power from the power supply circuit. The passive RFID system 12110 does not include a power supply and is powered by the inquiry signal. When the passive RFID system 12110 receives a query signal, it sends a response signal containing data relating to the identification of the staple cartridge 12000 back to the surgical instrument via the cartridge data antenna 11530”. The surgical instrument includes an RFID reader chip 12610 configured to receive and process the response signal from the passive RFID system 12110. In at least one alternative embodiment, the independent identification circuit includes an active RFID system, which includes its own power supply. In such an embodiment, the active RFID system may include a beacon that periodically emits an identification signal having sufficient power to be received by the instrument data antenna 10530”.

[0085] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, the independent power supply circuit 12200 of the staple cartridge 12000 includes a cartridge power antenna 11535” configured to receive power from the power transmission antenna 10535” of the surgical instrument. In various cases, as above, the staple cartridge 12000 is configured to send data signals, including data from the sensor array 11600 of the staple cartridge 12000, back to the surgical instrument via a power antenna pair including antennas 10535” and 11535”. In certain cases, the staple cartridge 12000 includes a third antenna configured to transmit sensor data to the surgical instrument via an independent low-power antenna pair separate from the power antenna pair of the power circuit 12200 and the cartridge identification circuit 12100. In such cases, power is transmitted from the surgical instrument to the staple cartridge via the power antenna pair, identification signals are transmitted between the surgical instrument and the staple cartridge via an identification signal antenna pair, and sensor data is transmitted from the staple cartridge to the surgical instrument via a sensor data signal antenna pair.

[0086] In various embodiments, referring to Figure 10, the staple cartridge 13000 includes a cartridge power antenna 11535" and a cartridge data antenna 11530", both of which are coupled to a single instrument antenna 13530. In at least one such embodiment, the single instrument antenna 13530 comprises a coil 13540 defined in the instrument coil plane, the cartridge data antenna 11530" comprises a coil 11540" defined in the data coil plane, and the cartridge power antenna 11535" comprises a coil 11545" defined in the power coil plane. The coils 13540, 11540", and 11545" are stacked so that signals transmitted by the single instrument antenna 13530 are received by the cartridge data antenna 11530" and the cartridge power antenna 11535". In at least one case, coils 13540, 11540”, and 11545”, may be positioned on one lateral side of the staple cartridge 13000. In various cases, coils 13540, 11540”, and 11545”, may be positioned at the bottom of the staple cartridge 13000. In various cases, it may be desirable for the cartridge data antenna 11530”, to receive signals at lower power than the cartridge power antenna 11535”. In at least one such case, coils 13540, 11540”, and 11545”, are stacked such that the cartridge power coil 11545”, is positioned between the instrument antenna coil 13540 and the cartridge data coil 11540”. In such a case, as a result, the signal strength emitted by the instrument antenna coil 13540 is greater with the cartridge power coil 11545”, than with the cartridge data coil 11540”. In various cases, coils 13540, 11540, and 11545 are spaced equal to or equidistant from each other. In other cases, the gap between the cartridge data coil 11540 and the cartridge power coil 11545 is larger than the gap between the cartridge power coil 11545 and the instrument antenna coil 13540.In such cases, the power transmitted to the cartridge data coil 11540" may be substantially lower than the power transmitted to the cartridge power coil 11545". In various alternative embodiments, the instrument antenna coil 13540 is positioned between the cartridge data coil 11540" and the cartridge power coil 11545", and coils 11540" and 11545" can be positioned at any preferred distance from the instrument antenna coil 13540.

[0087] Referring again to Figure 10, the instrument antennas 10530" and 10535" are used to radiate a field that interacts with the cartridge antennas 11530" and 11535". In various cases, the field radiated by the instrument antennas 10530" and 10535" is radiated in all directions. As a result, a considerable amount of power that is not received by the cartridge antennas 11530" and 11535" may be radiated by the instrument antennas 10530" and 10535". In various cases, the surgical instrument is configured to shape the field radiated by the instrument antennas 10530" and 10535". In at least one case, the surgical instrument includes, for example, one or more metal walls surrounding the instrument data antenna 10530" and / or power transmission antenna 10535". Such metal walls can limit the intensity of the field radiated in directions not toward the cartridge antennas 11530" and 11535". In at least one instance, the metal wall forms a horn that directs the radiated field from the instrument antenna coil toward the corresponding cartridge antenna coil. In at least one such instance, the metal wall extends, for example, from the metal sidewall and / or metal bottom wall of the cartridge jaw. In various instances, for example, a ferrite ring can be positioned around the instrument antenna coil to tunnel the radiated field toward the corresponding cartridge antenna coil. In at least one such instance, the ferrite ring is mounted, for example, on the sidewall and / or bottom wall of the cartridge jaw. In various instances, the staple cartridge 11000" includes a metal wall that directs the field radiated from the instrument antenna toward the corresponding cartridge antenna coil. In at least one such instance, the metal wall forms a horn mounted on the cartridge body of the staple cartridge, for example, which is made of plastic. Also in various instances, the staple cartridge includes a ferrite material configured to direct and / or amplify the field radiated by the instrument antenna coil toward the corresponding cartridge antenna.The entire disclosures of U.S. Patent No. 10,135,242, issued November 20, 2018, titled "SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION," U.S. Patent No. 9,345,481, issued May 24, 2016, titled "STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM," and U.S. Patent No. 9,872,722, issued January 23, 2018, titled "WAKE-UP SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS," are incorporated herein by reference.

[0088] Referring again to Figure 5A, the staple cartridge 11000 comprises a metal pan 11700 attached to the cartridge body 11100. The metal pan 11700 extends around the bottom of the cartridge body 11100 and includes a base portion 11710 configured to prevent the staple driver 11300 and / or staples from falling from the bottom of the staple cartridge 11000. The metal pan 11700 comprises a first side wall 11720 extending along a first lateral side of the cartridge body 11100 and a second side wall 11720 extending along a second lateral side of the cartridge body 11100. The first side wall 11720 is attached to the cartridge body 11100 via one or more mounting mechanisms 11730, such as hooks and / or shoulder retainers. Similar to the first side wall 11720, the second side wall 11720 is attached to the cartridge body 11100 via one or more mounting mechanisms 11730, such as hooks and / or shoulder retainers. The metal pan 11700 is made of any suitable metal, such as stainless steel or nitinol. In various embodiments, the metal pan 11700 may also include a portion made of plastic and / or any other suitable material. In various cases, the cartridge antenna is mounted on the metal pan 11700. In at least one such case, the cartridge data coil 11540” and / or the cartridge power coil 11545” are mounted on the metal pan 11700 to position the coils closer to their respective instrument antennas and improve the transmission efficiency of the antennas.

[0089] In various embodiments, surgical instruments and / or staple cartridges may include a mask or shield configured to control, block, and / or direct signals emitted by the surgical instruments and / or staple cartridges. In at least one embodiment, the mask is made of, for example, ferrite. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge jaws are provided with a metal wall shield extending from the side walls and / or bottom walls. In at least one embodiment, the pan and / or cartridge body of the staple cartridge includes a metal wall shield housed therein and / or extending therefrom. In at least one embodiment, the mask is configured to restrict the direction in which signals are emitted and / or received. In various embodiments, surgical instruments and / or staple cartridges may include a horn antenna configured to direct signals emitted therefrom. In at least one embodiment, surgical instruments and / or staple cartridges may include an antenna made of a metal wall. In at least one such embodiment, the cartridge jaws of the surgical instrument are made of a metal wall, at least one of which is used as an antenna. Furthermore, in at least one such embodiment, the pan of the staple cartridge is composed of metal walls, at least one of which is used as an antenna. In various embodiments, one or more capacitors or capacitive elements are soldered to the pan of the staple cartridge, which can filter out undesirable frequencies conducted within and / or transmitted through the pan.

[0090] Referring next to Figure 11, a staple cartridge, such as staple cartridge 14000, comprises a cartridge body 11100 and an electronic circuit 11500 including a sensor 11600. Staple cartridge 14000 is similar in many respects to other staple cartridges disclosed herein, such respects are not described herein for the sake of brevity. The cartridge body 11100 comprises a deck 11130 and a longitudinal row of staple cavities 11140 defined within the deck 11130. Each staple cavity 11140 contains a staple housed therein, which is driven upward from the staple cavity 11140 by a staple driver during the staple firing stroke. Each staple comprises a base and two legs extending from the base, the legs generally extending upward and outward to form a V-shape. In various cases, the legs of the staple are elastically deflected inward by the proximal and distal end walls of the staple cavity 11140 when the staple is housed within the staple cavity 11140. When the staple is driven upward from the staple cavity 11140, the legs of the staple emerge from the staple cavity 11140 and extend above the deck 11130, while the rest of the staple is pushed upward from the staple cavity 11140. The cartridge body 11100 includes a projection 11132 (Figure 5B) extending from the deck 11130, which is configured to guide and / or control the legs of the staple as the staple is ejected from the staple cavity 11140. The projections 11132 are positioned at the distal end and the proximal end of each staple cavity 11140. However, alternative embodiments are envisioned in which the projections 11132 are positioned at only one end of each staple cavity 11140. Furthermore, various embodiments are envisioned in which some of the staple cavities 11140 do not have projections 11132 at their ends. The projections 11132 are further configured to engage with patient tissue positioned relative to the deck 11130 and to restrict the flow or movement of patient tissue in contact with the deck 11130.

[0091] In various embodiments, the electronic circuit 11500 comprises a substrate including a mechanism for engaging with a projection 11132. In at least one embodiment, the substrate comprises an opening defined therein, the sidewall of which engages with the projection 11132. The opening is configured to snap-fit ​​and / or press-fit with the projection 11132 so that the electronic circuit 11500 is held in place relative to the cartridge body 11100. In at least one embodiment, the projection 11132 includes at least a partially annular or circumferential shoulder that contacts the cartridge body 11100 and holds the sensor circuit 11500.

[0092] In various embodiments, the sensor circuit of a staple cartridge consists of a conductive material printed on a deck on the cartridge body. In at least one embodiment, the conductive material consists of metal particles bonded to the deck that form an electrical circuit to which the sensor connects. In at least one such embodiment, the printed electrical circuit is printed on the cartridge body using a three-dimensional printer. In various embodiments, the sensor circuit includes electrodes or contacts printed on the cartridge body. In at least one embodiment, the sensor circuit includes electrodes having polygonal surfaces configured to contact tissue. In at least one alternative embodiment, the electrodes include curved and / or meandering paths on the deck surface, which in various cases can increase the contact area between the electrode and the tissue. In at least one embodiment, the electrodes include needles extending therefrom, configured to penetrate tissue. In at least one embodiment, the needles have a diameter of, for example, about 1 μm. In various cases, the needles provide a parallel signal path between the tissue and the sensor circuit in one electrode to improve the sensitivity of the sensor circuit. In at least one embodiment, a conductive grease or conductive viscous agent covers the tissue contact points of the sensor circuit to improve contact between the electrode and the tissue. In various embodiments, a portion of the sensor circuit is embedded within the cartridge body. In at least one such embodiment, the sensor circuit includes, for example, a flat, thin conductor that is embedded in the cartridge body when a plastic material is overmolded over the conductor portion. However, a portion of the conductor remains exposed, providing a tissue engagement pad and / or conductive mounting point for soldering the sensor thereto. In at least one embodiment, a portion of the cartridge sensor circuit can be defined on the lateral sidewall of the cartridge jaw. In at least one such embodiment, the proximal and distal portions of the sensor circuit are defined on the cartridge body, and the intermediate portion of the sensor circuit is defined on the cartridge jaw that electrically connects the proximal and distal portions of the sensor circuit. In at least one embodiment, the portion of the sensor circuit mounted on the cartridge jaw includes a conductive strip mounted on the sidewall.When the staple cartridge is placed in the cartridge jaw, the cartridge sensor circuit engages with the conductive strip to complete the circuit.

[0093] As described above, the sensor circuit may include a conductive tissue contact surface. In various embodiments, the sensor circuit may include a non-conductive tissue contact surface. In at least one embodiment, the sensor circuit comprises one or more capacitive electrodes. In various cases, projected capacitance measurement techniques are used to measure the presence and / or characteristics of tissue on the capacitive electrodes. In at least one embodiment, each capacitive electrode includes an insulating cover that covers the capacitive pad contained therein. In various cases, in addition to the above, surface capacitance measurement techniques can be used. In various embodiments, the sensor circuit comprises one or more inductive sensors. In at least one embodiment, eddy currents are induced in each of the inductive sensors, and the eddy currents change when tissue comes into contact with the sensor. In such embodiments, the change in sensor eddy currents is detected by a control system of a staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the sensor circuit may include a temperature sensor used to detect the presence of tissue on the temperature sensor. In at least one embodiment, the sensor circuit includes electrodes made of doped polycrystalline ceramic, for example, barium titanate (BaTiO3). The resistance of these ceramic materials changes in response to temperature changes, such as when patient tissue is positioned in contact with the electrodes. The cartridge processor is configured to employ an algorithm that monitors the resistance changes within the ceramic material to assess whether the tissue has been positioned in contact with the electrodes. In various cases, the electrodes of the sensor circuit are arranged in parallel so that the detected changes in resistance, capacitance, voltage, and / or current can be directly correlated to the position of the sensor. Using this information, the processor can assess whether and where the tissue is positioned on the staple cartridge.

[0094] Referring to Figures 11A and 11D, the staple cartridge 14000 further comprises a laminated material 14900 mounted on one or more components of the staple cartridge 14000 to control the electrical effects generated within the cartridge components by the electric field radiated from the staple cartridge 14000 and / or the surrounding electric field. In at least one example, the laminated material 14900 includes a flux field directional material comprising at least two layers, namely a first layer 14910 or cover and a second layer 14920 of magnetic material mounted on the first layer 14910. The first layer 14910 is composed of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate protecting the second layer 14920, but can be composed of any suitable material. The second layer 14920 is composed of, for example, a sintered ferrite sheet, but can be composed of any suitable material. In at least one instance, for example, an adhesive layer 14930, composed of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, is bonded to a second layer 14920 and used to attach the laminated material 14900 to one or more components of a staple cartridge 14000, as will be discussed further below. In at least one instance, the laminated material 14900 is, for example, Flux Field Directional Material EM15TF manufactured by 3M.

[0095] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, the laminated material 14900 is coupled to the cartridge body 11100 and configured to change and / or control the shape of the field extending from the cartridge antenna. In at least one embodiment, the laminated material 14900 focuses the field away from the metal cartridge jaws of the surgical instrument 10000 in which the staple cartridge 14000 is installed. In at least one example, the cartridge body 11100 is made of plastic and the laminated material 14900 is mounted on the cartridge body 11100 such that the laminated material 14900 surrounds, or at least substantially surrounds, the cartridge antenna. In at least one example, the laminated material 14900 is mounted on the cartridge body 11100 at a position intermediate between the cartridge data coil 11540" and the cartridge power coil 11545" such that the cartridge coils 11540" and 11545" are separated by the laminated material 14900. In various embodiments, the laminated material 14900 is bonded to the metal wall of the cartridge jaw 10410. In at least one example, the laminated material 14900 is mounted to the metal wall of the cartridge jaw 10410 at a position midway between the fixture data coil 10540" and the power transmission coil 10545". In various embodiments, the laminated material 14900 bonds the cartridge data antenna 11530" and / or the cartridge power antenna 11535" to the cartridge body 11100. In at least one embodiment, the laminated material 14900 bonds the fixture data antenna 10530" and / or the fixture power antenna 10535" to the metal cartridge jaw 10410.

[0096] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, the laminated material 14900 is mounted on the metal pan 11700. In at least one such instance, the laminated material 14900 is positioned between the metal pan 11700 and the cartridge data antenna 11530” and also between the metal pan 11700 and the cartridge power antenna 11535”. Such a configuration can concentrate the fields generated by the antennas 11530” and 11535” away from the metal pan 11700, thereby minimizing the electrical influence of the fields on the metal pan 11700. In various embodiments, the laminated material 14900 is mounted on the movable components of the staple cartridge 14000. In at least one instance, referring to Figure 11D, the laminated material 14900 is mounted on the thread 11400. In at least one such instance, the laminated material 14900 is mounted, for example, on the lateral side 11410 of the thread 11400. In at least one case, referring to Figure 11A, the laminate material 14900 is mounted, for example, on one or more of the staple drivers 11300. In at least one such case, the laminate material 14900 is mounted on the lateral side 11310 of the staple driver 11300. The laminate material 14900 can be mounted, for example, on all of the staple drivers 11300, or only on the staple drivers 11300 adjacent to the cartridge antennas 11530" and 11535".

[0097] In addition to the above, the field generated by the cartridge antenna and / or instrument antenna may affect the output of the sensor 11600. Such effects can be reduced or mitigated, for example, by the laminated material 14900. In various cases, the processor of the staple cartridge 14000 is configured to electronically account for the effect of the antenna field on the sensor 11600. In at least one such case, the cartridge processor can monitor when a signal is being transmitted between the antenna pair, and in such a case, it can correct the sensor output received from the sensor 11600 before transmitting the sensor output to the surgical instrument processor and / or before recording the sensor output to the memory device in the staple cartridge 14000. When a signal is not being transmitted between the antenna pair, the sensor output may not need to be corrected by the processor before being transmitted to the surgical instrument processor and / or recorded to the memory device in the staple cartridge 14000. In various scenarios, the processor may apply a first compensation coefficient to the sensor output when the power antenna pair is transmitting a signal, a second compensation coefficient to the sensor output when the signal antenna pair is transmitting a signal, and a third compensation coefficient to the sensor output when both antennas are transmitting signals. In at least one such scenario, for example, the third compensation coefficient is greater than the first compensation coefficient, and the first compensation coefficient is greater than the second compensation coefficient.

[0098] In addition to the above, the circuit 11500 is flush with the top surface of the deck 11130 and / or recessed to the top surface of the deck 11130. In various cases, the staple cartridge 11000 further includes a rotatably mounted latch, which is rotatable from a latched position to a latched position in order to hold the circuit 11500 within the circuit slot 11160. The latch engages with the cartridge body 11100 in a press-fit and / or snap-fit ​​manner when the latch is in the latched position. When the latch is in those latched positions, the latch is coplanar with the top surface of the deck 11130 and / or recessed below the top surface of the deck 11130. In at least one embodiment, the projection 11132 is mounted on the latch and / or any other suitable restraining mechanism and / or is formed integrally therewith. In any case, the circuit 11500 comprises one or more sensors which are held in place relative to the cartridge body 11100 as a result of the above.

[0099] As described above, the sensor 11600 may be affected by its surrounding environment. In various cases, the sensor 11600 may be affected by temperature changes when the end effector 10400 of the surgical instrument is inserted into the patient. Referring to Figure 12, a staple cartridge, such as the staple cartridge 15000, may be equipped with a thermal management system. The staple cartridge 15000 is similar in many respects to other staple cartridges disclosed herein, such respects will not be repeated for the sake of brevity. The staple cartridge 15000 comprises a cartridge body 15100 and a sensor 11600 mounted on the cartridge body 15100. The staple cartridge 15000 further comprises a heat sink system 15800 that transfers thermal energy and / or equalizes the thermal energy with that of the cartridge body 15100. The cartridge body 15100 comprises a first lateral side portion 15170 and a second lateral side portion 15180, and the heat sink system 15800 comprises a first heat sink 15870 embedded in the first lateral side portion 15170 and a second heat sink 15880 embedded in the second lateral side portion 15180. The first heat sink 15870 comprises a first longitudinal rail 15872 extending along the first lateral side portion 15170 of the cartridge body 15100 and a lateral rail 15874 extending laterally from the first longitudinal rail 15872. The lateral rail 15874 extends between and around the staple cavity 11140 and conducts heat outward away from the sensor 11600 positioned adjacent to the first longitudinal rail 15872. However, other embodiments are envisioned in which rails 15872 and 15874 are arranged to conduct heat inward away from the sensor 11600 positioned along the outer circumference of the cartridge body 15100. The second heat sink 15880 comprises a second longitudinal rail 15882 extending along the second lateral side 15180 and a lateral rail 15884 extending from the second longitudinal rail 15882.The lateral rail 15884 extends between and around the staple cavity 11400 and conducts heat outward away from the sensor 11600, which is positioned adjacent to the second longitudinal rail 15882. However, other embodiments are contemplated in which the rails 15882 and 15884 are arranged to conduct heat inward away from the sensor 11600, which is positioned along the outer circumference of the cartridge body 15100.

[0100] In addition to the above, the first heatsink 15870 and the second heatsink 15880 are configured to conduct heat from one area of ​​the staple cartridge 15000 to another. In various cases, the first heatsink 15870 includes a first area made of a first material having a first thermal conductivity and a second area having a second thermal conductivity higher than the first thermal conductivity. In at least one case, the first area is positioned adjacent to the sensor 11600 so that the second area rapidly draws heat from the first area. Thus, the first heatsink 15870 includes a heat pump. The second heatsink 15880 may have a similar configuration. In various cases, the first heatsink 15870 includes a first area made of a first material having a first heat capacity and a second area made of a second material having a second heat capacity higher than the first heat capacity. In such an embodiment, the second region can store heat away from the sensor 11600. The second heatsink 15880 may have a similar configuration.

[0101] In addition to the above, in various cases, the first longitudinal rail 15872 has a constant cross-section along its length. During use, thermal energy flows along the first longitudinal rail 15872 from a high-temperature position along the first longitudinal rail 15872 to a low-temperature position along the first longitudinal rail 15872. In at least one alternative embodiment, the cross-section of the first longitudinal rail 15872 varies along its length. During use, thermal energy can flow along the first longitudinal rail 15872 from a position with a smaller cross-section to a position with a larger cross-section. In at least one case, the first longitudinal rail 15872 tapers linearly from one end to the other. In at least one such case, the larger end of the first longitudinal rail 15872 is at the distal end of the staple cartridge 15000. In such cases, heat may flow toward the distal end of the staple cartridge 15000 instead of toward the processor and / or other electronic equipment within the proximal end of the staple cartridge 15000. A second heatsink 15880 may have a similar configuration.

[0102] In addition to the above, in various cases, the transverse rail 15874 has a constant cross-section along its length. During use, thermal energy flows along the transverse rail 15874 from a hotter position to a cooler position. In at least one alternative embodiment, the cross-section of the transverse rail 15874 varies along its length. During use, thermal energy can flow along the transverse rail 15874 from a position with a smaller cross-section to a position with a larger cross-section. In at least one case, each transverse rail 15874 tapers linearly from one end to the other. In at least one such case, the larger end of the transverse rail 15874 is on the transverse side of the staple cartridge 15000. In such a case, heat may also flow from the first longitudinal rail 15872 toward the transverse side of the staple cartridge 15000, where the heat can be easily dissipated from the staple cartridge 15000. A second heat sink 15880 may have a similar configuration. That being said, any suitable heatsink configuration can be used.

[0103] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, a portion of the heatsink is in direct contact with at least one electronic component of the staple cartridge 15000. In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge 15000 includes a microprocessor mounted on a cartridge body 15100, and the heatsink is in direct contact with the microprocessor, for example. In various embodiments, the cartridge body 15100 is in direct contact with at least one electronic component of the staple cartridge 15000. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge body 15100 is provided with fins extending therefrom, which increase the convection area and increase the rate at which the electronic component can be cooled. In at least one such example, referring to Figure 11A, the cartridge body 15100 includes a longitudinal rail 11105 defining a longitudinal slot 11115 configured to receive a staple drive rail 11415 of the thread 11400, the longitudinal rail 11015 being part of a heat path for cooling the electronic components of the staple cartridge 15000. In at least one embodiment, the longitudinal rail 11105 of the cartridge body 15100 is at least partially coated with a material that improves the thermal conductivity, convection, and / or radiation of heat between the electronic components and the longitudinal rail 11105, and between the longitudinal rail 11105 and the surrounding environment. In various embodiments, the metal pan 11700 of the staple cartridge 15000 is in contact with one or more electronic components of the staple cartridge and is configured to conduct heat away from the electronic components. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge body 15100 and / or the metal pan 11700 are provided with a window or through-hole configured to allow body fluids to enter the staple cartridge 15000 when the end effector 10400 is inside the patient. In such an embodiment, the electronic components of the staple cartridge 15000 are coated with a sealant, such as epoxy, which protects the electronic components when body fluids enter the staple cartridge 15000.Such openings may also be positioned and arranged to facilitate contact between the body fluid and the heat sink of the staple cartridge 15000.

[0104] In various embodiments, the staple cartridge 15000 further comprises a temperature sensor circuit including at least one temperature sensor 15900 that communicates with the processor of the staple cartridge 15000. In at least one embodiment, the temperature sensor 15900 includes, for example, a thermistor, a thermocouple, and / or a resistance temperature detector. In various cases, the staple processor, electronic hardware, tissue sensor, and / or antenna of the staple cartridge 15000 generate heat that, depending on the circumstances, may adversely affect the functionality of these devices. Using the data provided from the temperature sensor 15900 to the staple cartridge processor, the staple cartridge processor may, for example, adjust the sampling or processing speed of the tissue sensor to reduce the heat generated by the staple cartridge processor. In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge processor is configured to reduce the data sampling or processing speed of the tissue sensor when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 15900 exceeds a threshold. In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge processor can maintain a lower sampling rate of the tissue sensor regardless of whether the temperature remains above or returns below the temperature threshold. In other embodiments, the staple cartridge processor can increase or recover the sampling rate of the tissue sensor after the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 15900 has returned below the temperature threshold. Similarly, the staple cartridge processor can be configured to reduce the data transfer rate between the staple cartridge 15000 and the surgical instrument via the data antenna pair when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 15900 exceeds the threshold. In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge processor can maintain a lower transfer rate regardless of whether the temperature remains above or returns below the temperature threshold. In other embodiments, the staple cartridge processor can increase or recover the data transfer rate across the data antenna pair after the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 15900 has returned below the temperature threshold.

[0105] In at least one embodiment, in addition to the above, the processor of the staple cartridge 15000 and / or the processor of the surgical instrument 10000 are configured to reduce the power transmitted across the power antenna coupling between the staple cartridge 15000 and the surgical instrument 10000 when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 15900 exceeds a threshold. In at least one embodiment, the processor(s) can maintain a lower power transfer rate regardless of whether the temperature remains above or returns below the temperature threshold. In other embodiments, the processor(s) can increase or recover the power transfer rate after the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 15900 returns below the temperature threshold.

[0106] In various embodiments, the staple cartridge processor is configured to evaluate the operating state of the staple cartridge 15000 when the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor 15900 exceeds a temperature threshold before modifying the operation of the staple cartridge 15000. For example, if the staple cartridge processor senses that the staple firing stroke has not yet been initiated by the surgical instrument 10000 when the sensed temperature exceeds the temperature threshold, the staple cartridge processor is configured to reduce the heat generated by the staple cartridge processor in a different way by, for example, modifying or reducing the sensor sampling rate, data transfer rate and / or power transfer rate, and / or changing or stopping the functions of the staple cartridge processor. Such a configuration can reduce the heat generated by the staple cartridge 15000 during use. If the staple cartridge processor senses that the staple firing stroke has already been initiated by the surgical instrument 10000 when the sensed temperature exceeds the temperature threshold, in at least one such embodiment, the staple cartridge processor does not change the sensor sampling rate, data transfer rate and / or power transfer rate during the staple firing stroke, for example. After a staple firing stroke, in such cases, the staple cartridge processor may modify the operation of the staple cartridge 15000 in some way to reduce the heat generated by the staple cartridge 15000. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge 15000 includes a sensor configured to determine whether a staple firing stroke has been initiated by detecting the position of the thread, or at least whether the thread is in a proximal unfired position. In various embodiments, the control system of the surgical instrument 10000 is configured to communicate to the staple cartridge processor that a staple firing stroke has been initiated.The staple cartridge 15000 may also be equipped with a sensor for determining when the thread has reached its full firing position, and / or the control system of the surgical instrument 10000 is configured to communicate to the staple cartridge processor that the retraction stroke of the staple firing system has begun.

[0107] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, the staple cartridge processor is configured to modify the operation of the first system when the sensed temperature exceeds a first temperature threshold, and to modify the operation of the second system when the sensed temperature exceeds a second or higher temperature threshold. For example, the staple cartridge processor can reduce the sensor sampling rate when the temperature exceeds the first temperature threshold, and then reduce the data transfer rate to the surgical instrument when the temperature exceeds the second temperature threshold.

[0108] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, the processor of the staple cartridge 15000 includes an internal temperature sensor used in cooperation with or instead of the temperature sensor 15900. In various embodiments, the cartridge body 15100 is composed of a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) material used as a temperature sensor. In such embodiments, the cartridge body 15100 is part of a temperature sensor circuit that communicates with the processor of the staple cartridge 15000. In various cases, the cartridge body 15100 includes a temperature sensor in addition to or instead of other temperature sensors disclosed herein. In at least one case, the PTC material is composed of a doped polycrystalline ceramic containing, for example, barium titanate BaTiO3. In at least one embodiment, the processor of the staple cartridge 15000 communicates with the temperature sensor 15900 and at least one temperature sensor in the surgical instrument 10000. In such embodiments, the staple cartridge processor may employ an algorithm that evaluates the temperature at multiple locations and takes into account the temperature readings of both temperature sensors before modifying the operation of the staple cartridge 15000. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge 15000 may be equipped with two or more temperature sensors, and the staple cartridge processor may employ an algorithm that takes into account all temperature readings from the temperature sensors before modifying the operation of the staple cartridge 15000.

[0109] In various embodiments, the heat generated by the cartridge processor may affect, for example, the components of the sensor circuit and / or the potential generated by the sensor in the sensor circuit. In various cases, the rise in the sensed temperature may result in, for example, an increase in the magnetic or electric field generated by the processor. In at least one embodiment, the processor employs an algorithm configured to utilize a correction factor to compensate for the effect of the temperature rise on the sensor output. In at least one such embodiment, the compensation factor is applied when the sensed temperature exceeds a threshold. In various embodiments, the voltage output is modified according to a correction function such as, for example, a linear and / or nonlinear function. In various embodiments, the cartridge control system includes a sensor that directly detects the field generated by the processor and is configured to employ an algorithm to compensate for the effect of the field on the sensor output.

[0110] In various embodiments, the staple cartridges disclosed herein are configured to operate in low-power mode and high-power mode. The staple cartridge processor is configured to switch from low-power mode to high-power mode when the staple cartridge processor receives one or more inputs or triggers. In such embodiments, while the staple cartridge processor awaits a signal or combination of signals to switch to high-power mode, the staple cartridge consumes less power and generates less heat. In low-power mode, in at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge processor is configured to process data from the cartridge sensor at a low sampling rate and / or transmit the data to the surgical instrument 10000 at a low transmission rate, for example, via a data antenna coupling. In high-power mode, in at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge processor is configured to process data from the cartridge sensor at a higher sampling rate and / or transmit the data to the surgical instrument 10000 via a data antenna coupling at a higher transmission rate. In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge includes, for example, at least one strain gauge mounted on the cartridge body, which is configured to communicate with a staple cartridge processor and sense when the cartridge body is compressed. When the potential output by the strain gauge (in response to the cartridge body being subjected to high strain) exceeds a threshold, the staple cartridge processor switches from low-power mode to high-power mode. In such cases, the staple cartridge can detect that the end effector 10400 of the surgical instrument 10000 has been clamped onto patient tissue. In addition to, or instead of, the processor of the surgical instrument 10000 may, for example, transmit a signal across a pair of data antennas to the processor of the staple cartridge when the surgical instrument 10000 is clamped. In either case, the processor of the staple cartridge switches from low-power mode to high-power mode when the processor determines that the surgical instrument 10000 is in a clamped state.In such cases, the staple cartridge processor can, for example, increase the sampling rate of the tissue sensor output and / or increase the data transfer rate back to the processor of the surgical instrument 10000.

[0111] In at least one embodiment, in addition to the above, the staple cartridge is in a low-power mode when the surgical instrument 10000 is in an unclamped state and the staple cartridge is in a non-firing state. When the surgical instrument 10000 is clamped, the staple cartridge enters a first high-power mode in which one or more functions of the staple cartridge are switched on and / or modified, but not all of its functions. When a staple firing stroke is initiated by the surgical instrument 10000, the staple cartridge enters a second high-power mode in which all of its functions are switched on and it is fully operational. In at least one such embodiment, the staple cartridge processor is configured to emit a first signal to the surgical instrument 10000 indicating that the staple cartridge has entered the first high-power mode, and a second signal to the surgical instrument 10000 indicating that the staple cartridge has entered the second high-power mode. When the instrument processor of surgical instrument 10000 receives a first signal, the instrument processor increases the wattage of the power signal to the staple cartridge to power the staple cartridge in a first high-power mode. Similarly, when the instrument processor receives a second signal, it increases the wattage of the power signal to the staple cartridge to power the staple cartridge in a second high-power mode.

[0112] In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrument is configured to supply power to the staple cartridge, which is mounted on the end effector of the surgical instrument, at a first wattage when the end effector is in an unclamped state, at a second wattage when the end effector is clamped before the staple firing stroke, and at a third wattage during the staple firing stroke. In at least one such embodiment, the second wattage is higher than the first and third wattages, and as a result, the cartridge processor can process data from the tissue sensor at a faster rate to evaluate the tissue before the staple firing stroke without generating an excessive amount of heat before the end effector is clamped and / or during the staple firing stroke. In at least one alternative embodiment, the third wattage is higher than the first and second wattages, and as a result, the cartridge processor can process data from the tissue sensor at a faster rate to evaluate the tissue during the staple firing stroke without generating an excessive amount of heat before the staple firing stroke.

[0113] In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge is in a low-power mode before it is placed inside the surgical instrument 10000. Once the staple cartridge is placed inside the surgical instrument 10000, the staple cartridge enters a first high-power mode in which one or more functions of the staple cartridge are switched on and / or modified, though not all of its functions. For example, the identification circuit of the staple cartridge is switched on when the staple cartridge is in the first high-power mode. When the surgical instrument 10000 is clamped, the staple cartridge enters a second high-power mode in which one or more additional functions of the staple cartridge are switched on and / or modified, though not all of its functions. For example, the tissue sensing circuit of the staple cartridge is switched on when the staple cartridge is in the second high-power mode. When the staple firing stroke is initiated by the surgical instrument 10000, the staple cartridge enters a third high-power mode in which all of its functions are switched on and it is fully operational. In at least one such embodiment, the staple cartridge processor is configured to emit a first signal to the surgical instrument 10000 indicating that the staple cartridge has entered a first high-power mode, a second signal to the surgical instrument 10000 indicating that the staple cartridge has entered a second high-power mode, and a third signal to the surgical instrument 10000 indicating that the staple cartridge has entered a third high-power mode. When the instrument processor of the surgical instrument 10000 receives the first signal, the instrument processor increases the wattage of the power signal to the staple cartridge to power the staple cartridge in the first high-power mode. Similarly, when the instrument processor receives the second signal, it increases the wattage of the power signal to the staple cartridge to power the staple cartridge in the second high-power mode. Similarly, when the instrument processor receives the third signal, it increases the wattage of the power signal to the staple cartridge to power the staple cartridge in the third high-power mode.

[0114] As described above, the staple cartridge processor responds to inputs or triggers, and when a trigger is received, activates one or more systems of the staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge includes a control system that includes a wake-up circuit and an onboard power supply. When the wake-up circuit is powered by an external power supply to the staple cartridge, i.e., an offboard power supply, it connects the onboard power supply to a data transmission circuit of the control system to transmit data to the surgical instrument 10000 via a data antenna pair. In at least one example, the data transmission circuit emits an identification beacon to the surgical instrument 10000. If the staple cartridge control system does not establish authenticated communication with the surgical instrument 10000 within a predetermined time after emitting the identification beacon, the control system shuts down the data transmission circuit by disconnecting the onboard power supply from the data transmission circuit until the wake-up circuit is powered again by the offboard power supply. However, if the staple cartridge establishes authenticated communication with the surgical instrument 10000 within a predetermined period after emitting an identification beacon, the control system enters full wake high-power operation mode.

[0115] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, the staple cartridge control system switches from a low-power or sleep mode to a high-power or awake mode after receiving two inputs or triggers. In at least one embodiment, referring to Figure 5A, the staple cartridge includes a retainer or cover 11900 attached to the cartridge body, extending over the top of the cartridge body or over the deck. The cover 11900 includes one or more mounting mechanisms 11910 configured to releasably hold the cover 11900 on the staple cartridge. The staple cartridge further includes a cover sensor circuit including a sensor such as a Hall effect sensor that communicates with a processor of the cartridge control system, for example. When the cover 11900 is mounted on the cartridge body, a magnetic element mounted on the cover 11900 interferes with the magnetic field radiated by the Hall effect sensor, and when the cover 11900 is removed from the cartridge body, the magnetic element no longer interferes with the magnetic field of the Hall effect sensor. This change in the Hall effect sensor field is reflected in the voltage output of the Hall effect sensor, which is one of the triggers used by the cartridge control system to switch the staple cartridge into wake mode. In addition to the above, the cartridge jaw of the surgical instrument includes a cartridge presence sensor circuit that is completed or closed when the staple cartridge is placed in the cartridge jaw. In at least one case, the staple cartridge closes a proximity switch, for example, when the staple cartridge is placed in the cartridge jaw. Similar to the cover sensor circuit, the cartridge presence sensor circuit is part of the wake circuit. The control system's processor is configured to switch from low-power mode or sleep mode to high-power mode or wake mode when the processor receives inputs indicating that the staple cartridge is placed in the cartridge jaw and that the cover 11900 has been removed from the staple cartridge.In sleep mode, the processor does not sample data from the tissue sensor, process data communicated from surgical instruments to the staple cartridge, and / or transmit data to surgical instruments. In wake mode, the processor samples data from the tissue sensor, processes data communicated from surgical instruments to the staple cartridge, and transmits data to surgical instruments.

[0116] In addition to the above, the staple cartridge control system can be switched from sleep mode to wake mode using any preferred combination of wake-up events or triggers. In at least one embodiment, the first trigger is the removal of the cover from the staple cartridge, and the second trigger includes a completed authentication sequence. In at least one example, the removal of the cover from the staple cartridge is sensed by the processor of the control system that switches the staple cartridge from sleep mode to authentication mode. In authentication mode, the staple cartridge processor emits an identification beacon through a pair of data antennas. When the instrument processor recognizes the identification beacon, the instrument beacon sends a wake-up signal back to the staple cartridge. Upon receiving the wake-up signal, the processor switches from authentication mode to wake mode. In wake mode, the staple cartridge control system is fully functional, but in authentication mode, the staple cartridge control system may not be fully functional. For example, in at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge control system does not process input from the tissue sensor when the staple cartridge is in authentication mode. Furthermore, the processor includes, for example, a timer circuit, function, and / or clock that are activated when the processor enters authentication mode. The processor is configured to return to sleep mode if it does not receive a wake-up signal within a predetermined period measured by the timer circuit. In various cases, the identification beacon and / or wake-up signal are encoded or encrypted. In at least one such case, the instrument processor is configured to decode or decrypt the identification beacon, and / or the cartridge processor is configured to decode or decrypt the wake-up signal.

[0117] Various wake-up triggers may include, for example, attaching a battery to a surgical instrument, removing a surgical instrument from a charging station, and / or attaching a surgical instrument to a robotic surgical system. In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrument includes an electrical contact that mates with a corresponding electrical contact on the arm of the robotic surgical system, the electrical contact closing a circuit sensed by the processor of the surgical instrument and / or the processor of the robotic surgical system. In such cases, the surgical instrument and / or the robotic surgical system transmit a wake-up trigger signal to a staple cartridge installed within the surgical instrument. In at least one embodiment, the robotic surgical system includes a vision system that includes one or more cameras configured to visually confirm the attachment of a staple fastener to the arm of the robotic surgical system and / or the presence of a staple cartridge in the cartridge jaw, and then transmit a wake-up trigger signal to a staple cartridge installed in the surgical instrument. In at least one such embodiment, the arm and / or surgical instrument of the robotic surgical system includes a clip that releasably holds the surgical instrument to the arm, and a vision system is configured to verify that the clip is in the locked position before issuing a wake-up trigger signal. In various embodiments, the operating room or surgical room includes a control system configured to transmit a wake-up signal directly to a staple cartridge and / or through the robotic surgical system and / or surgical instrument.

[0118] In various embodiments, a staple cartridge includes a circuit that communicates with the staple cartridge's processor. The circuit includes two contacts on the deck of the cartridge body and a gap between the contacts. When the staple cartridge is placed in the cartridge jaws and the end effector is in an open configuration, the circuit is open. In such cases, the staple cartridge's memory device is inaccessible. When the end effector is closed, the anvil jaws bridge the contacts, and the circuit becomes closed. In such cases, the staple cartridge's memory device is accessible. In various embodiments, the circuit includes a wake-up circuit, which, when closed, provides a potential to the processor's input gate, and when the potential is received, causes the processor to switch from sleep mode to wake mode. In at least one such embodiment, a battery or power source in the staple cartridge communicates with the staple cartridge's control system by closing the wake-up circuit when the end effector is closed. In various other embodiments, closing the anvil opens the wake-up circuit that communicates with the processor. In at least one such embodiment, the anvil includes a cutting element, such as a knife, which cuts the circuit in the staple cartridge, thereby opening the circuit. In such an example, the processor can interpret the loss of potential at the input gate as a wake-up signal.

[0119] In various cases, in addition to the above, the staple cartridge is housed in a sealed package. Before loading the staple cartridge into a surgical instrument, the clinician must open the package and remove the staple cartridge. In at least one case, removing the staple cartridge from the package activates a wake-up trigger, switching the staple cartridge from sleep mode to wake mode. In at least one embodiment, a sticker is attached to the package and the staple cartridge. In such cases, the sticker keeps the wake-up circuit in the staple cartridge open. When the staple cartridge is removed from the package, the sticker is removed from the staple cartridge, closing the wake-up circuit. In such cases, the processor receives a wake-up trigger signal at its input. In at least one such case, the staple cartridge includes an onboard power supply, such as a battery and / or charge accumulator, which delivers a potential to the processor input when the sticker is removed from the staple cartridge, thereby providing the processor with a wake-up trigger signal. In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge comprises a wake-up circuit including a battery and a spring-loaded battery contact held open by a tab when the staple cartridge is positioned within the package. In at least one example, the package is made of a plastic material such as TYVEK. The tab is attached to the package, and when the staple cartridge is removed from the package, the tab is released from between the battery and the spring-loaded battery contact so that the battery contact engages with the battery and closes the wake-up circuit. At such a point, the processor of the staple cartridge is powered and fully functional.

[0120] As described above, the staple cartridge may include a cover or retainer 11900 attached to the cartridge body. When the cover 11900 is removed from the cartridge body, the wake-up circuit within the staple cartridge is closed and the processor enters a wake state. Similarly, in at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge includes a battery and a spring-type battery contact held in an open state by a tab fixed to the cover 11900 when the cover 11900 is attached to the staple cartridge, the wake-up circuit. When the cover 11900 is removed from the staple cartridge, the tab is removed from between the battery and the spring-type battery contact such that the battery contact engages the battery to close the wake-up circuit. At such a point, the processor of the staple cartridge is powered and fully functional. In other embodiments, the processor enters a first power mode when the cover 11900 is removed. In at least one such embodiment, the processor, in form, the processor, for example, as a result of a cartridge authentication process, enters a second power mode.

[0121] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, the staple cartridge includes a wake-up circuit that includes, for example, a Hall effect sensor mounted on a first lateral side of the cartridge body and a magnet mounted on a second side or the opposite lateral side of the cartridge body. When the cover 11900 of the staple cartridge is attached to the cartridge body, the cover 11900 is positioned between the Hall effect sensor and the magnet. When the cover 11900 is removed from the cartridge body, the magnetic field detected by the Hall effect sensor changes, resulting in a change in the voltage output of the Hall effect sensor, which is detected by the cartridge processor. Such a change in potential is interpreted by the processor as a wake-up trigger, and in response to this wake-up trigger and / or a combination of wake-up triggers including this wake-up trigger, the processor switches from sleep mode to wake mode. In various cases, the cover 11900 includes a fin, for example made of ferrite, which is positioned between the magnet and the Hall effect sensor when the cover 11900 is attached to the cartridge body.

[0122] When the staple cartridge is removed from the package, in addition to the above, the staple cartridge is installed on the cartridge jaw of the surgical instrument. In various cases, there is a snap fit and / or press-fit configuration between the staple cartridge and the cartridge jaw. In such cases, when the staple cartridge is inserted into the cartridge jaw, there can be a sudden acceleration of the staple cartridge to its installation position when a force sufficient to overcome the snap fit and / or press-fit mechanism is applied to the staple cartridge by the clinician. In various embodiments, the staple cartridge comprises a power source such as a battery and / or a rechargeable accumulator, and in addition, a wake-up circuit including an accelerometer that communicates with the processor of the staple cartridge. The accelerometer communicates with the input gates of the power source and the processor, and when the staple cartridge is installed on the surgical instrument and accelerated, the voltage output of the accelerometer supplied to the input gate of the processor increases beyond a wake-up voltage threshold, and as a result, the staple cartridge switches, for example, from a sleep mode to a wake mode. In other embodiments, the processor enters a first power supply mode when the staple cartridge is installed. In at least one such embodiment, the processor enters a second power mode, for example, as a result of the cartridge authentication process.

[0123] Once the staple cartridge is installed in the cartridge jaws, in addition to the above, the end effector of the surgical instrument can be inserted into the patient. In various cases, the end effector of the surgical instrument is inserted into the patient through a large or open incision and then clamped to the patient tissue. In other cases, the end effector of the surgical instrument is inserted into the patient through a cannula or trocar. In such cases, the end effector is closed, inserted through the trocar, and then opened again once the end effector is inside the patient. At this point, the end effector is then clamped to the patient tissue. In any case, the end effector may be opened and closed one or more times before being used on a patient, and the clamping of the end effector can supply a wake-up trigger to the staple cartridge. In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge comprises a processor, a power supply, and a wake-up circuit that communicates with the processor and the power supply. The wake-up circuit comprises an open switch that is closed when the end effector of the surgical instrument is clamped. When the switch is closed, the processor enters a fully powered state. In at least one such embodiment, a movable anvil jaw physically contacts a staple cartridge to close the wake-up circuit. In at least one embodiment, the wake-up circuit includes a Hall effect sensor that detects the presence of a magnetic element mounted on the anvil jaw when the anvil jaw is in its closed position. When the voltage output of the Hall effect sensor changes as a result of the presence of the magnetic element, the processor interprets the voltage output change as a wake-up trigger. In at least one embodiment, the wake-up circuit includes an inductive sensor that detects the presence of a metal anvil jaw in the closed position. When the voltage output of the inductive sensor changes as a result of the anvil jaw being closed, the processor interprets the voltage output change as a wake-up trigger.

[0124] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, the trocar comprises a proximal end including a sealing port, a distal end including a sharp tip configured to incise patient tissue, and a tube extending between the proximal and distal ends. The sealing port comprises an enlarged opening and a flexible seal configured to form a substantially airtight seal to the end effector and / or shaft of a surgical instrument when it is inserted through therein. In various embodiments, the trocar comprises a data transmitter including an antenna configured to emit a wake-up signal to the staple cartridge as the staple cartridge passes through the trocar. In various cases, the wake-up signal from the trocar data transmitter is a sufficient trigger to switch the staple cartridge control system from sleep mode to wake mode, and in other cases, the wake-up signal from the trocar data transmitter is one of several triggers required to switch the staple cartridge control system from sleep mode to wake mode. In at least one embodiment, the trocar comprises a magnetic member, such as a permanent magnet, and the staple cartridge comprises a wake-up circuit including a sensor configured to detect the magnetic member. In at least one such embodiment, the staple cartridge includes a power supply that communicates with a sensor, for example, a Hall effect sensor. When the staple cartridge is installed in an end effector and the end effector is inserted through a trocar, the field emitted by the Hall effect sensor is distorted by a magnetic element in the trocar that changes the voltage output of the Hall effect sensor. This change in the sensor voltage output is detected by a processor in the staple cartridge, and when the change exceeds a predetermined threshold, the processor is configured to switch from its sleep mode to its wake mode. In various embodiments, the tube of the trocar includes an iron ring embedded therein and / or mounted thereon, and the staple cartridge includes a wake-up circuit that includes an inductive sensor configured to detect the iron ring. In at least one embodiment, the inductive sensor includes, for example, a field sensor, an oscillator, a demodulator, a flip-flop, and an output.When the staple cartridge is placed in the end effector and the end effector is inserted through the trocar, the iron ring changes the voltage output of the inductive sensor. This change in the sensor voltage output is detected by the staple cartridge's processor, and when the change exceeds a predetermined threshold, the processor is configured to switch from its sleep mode to its wake mode. In various cases, the inductive sensor outputs a voltage pulse for each iron ring it passes through. In such cases, the processor is configured to switch to wake mode after receiving more than a predetermined number of pulses from the inductive sensor.

[0125] Referring again to Figure 7, the staple cartridge may include a power management system that includes a processor and a power accumulator, such as a power accumulator 11800. The power management system further includes a charging circuit that communicates with the power accumulator 11800 and includes an antenna configured to receive power from the surgical instrument when the staple cartridge is installed in the surgical instrument. In various cases, the surgical instrument may supply power to the staple cartridge at a first charging speed or a maximum charging speed. However, during use of the staple cartridge, there may be situations in which the staple cartridge uses power at a second speed higher than the maximum charging speed. To accommodate this higher power usage, the power accumulator 11800 stores power when the power usage of the staple cartridge is below the maximum charging speed. The staple cartridge processor is configured to manage the power stored in the charge accumulator 11800, and when the charge accumulator 11800 reaches its maximum capacity, the processor transmits a signal to the surgical instrument to reduce the power supplied to the staple cartridge by the surgical instrument. In at least one such case, the signal includes data on the actual power usage of the staple cartridge. Upon receiving the signal, the surgical instrument processor reduces the power supplied to the staple cartridge so that the charging rate matches the staple cartridge utilization. In many cases, the power usage of the staple cartridge may increase beyond the charging rate, and the power management system is configured to utilize power from the charge accumulator 11800 until the charge of the charge accumulator 11800 falls below a recharge threshold. When the processor detects that the charge of the charge accumulator 11800 has fallen below a recharge threshold, the staple cartridge processor transmits a signal to the surgical instrument to restore the charging speed to the maximum charging speed in order to recharge the charge accumulator 11800. In addition to or instead of the charge accumulator 11800, the staple cartridge may include any suitable power storage device, such as a charge pump, a battery, and / or a supercapacitor.

[0126] In various cases, in addition to the above, the charging accumulator 11800 is not actively charged by the surgical instrument until at least one trigger event occurs. In at least one case, the cartridge power management system charges the charging accumulator 11800 after receiving a signal from the surgical instrument's NFC antenna. In at least one such case, the power transferred from the NFC antenna fully charges the charging accumulator 11800 and puts the staple cartridge into charging mode before the staple cartridge enters full power mode. In certain cases, the cartridge processor emits an identification beacon to the surgical instrument after the charging accumulator 11800 has been at least partially charged by the power transferred from the NFC antenna. When the instrument processor receives the identification beacon from the staple cartridge, the instrument processor supplies additional power to the staple cartridge via the NFC antenna and / or power antenna so that the cartridge power management system fully charges the charging accumulator 11800. In various cases, the charging accumulator 11800 is at least partially charged by power transmitted from the operating room control system to the cartridge NFC antenna.

[0127] In various embodiments, the surgical instrument is configured to supply power to the staple cartridge as soon as the staple cartridge is placed inside the surgical instrument. In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrument immediately supplies power to the staple cartridge via a low-power data antenna pair, such as an NFC antenna coupler, when the staple cartridge is placed inside the surgical instrument. In such cases, the cartridge power management system charges the charge accumulator 11800 as part of the charging mode. In at least one case, for example, less than 0.1W is supplied to the cartridge power management system during the charging mode. After the staple cartridge processor receives the wake trigger or combination of wake triggers necessary to switch the staple cartridge into wake mode, the processor supplies a wake signal to the surgical instrument indicating that the staple cartridge is in wake mode. Upon receiving the wake signal, the surgical instrument begins to supply power to the staple cartridge via a high-power antenna pair. In such cases, the cartridge power management system can then complete the charging of the charge accumulator 11800 if it is not yet fully charged. In at least one instance, more than 1.0W of power is supplied to the cartridge power management system during wake mode. In various alternative embodiments, only one antenna coupling exists between the staple cartridge and the surgical instrument. In such embodiments, the surgical instrument can control whether low or high power is supplied to the staple cartridge via the antenna, based on whether the instrument processor has received a wake signal from the staple cartridge. In any case, if the cartridge power management system determines that the charge accumulator 11800 is fully charged and the cartridge processor has not received one or more wake triggers necessary to switch the staple cartridge to its wake mode, the cartridge power management system can stop charging the charge accumulator 11800 by opening the charging circuit that supplies power to the charge accumulator 11800.In at least one embodiment, the cartridge processor may emit a signal to the appliance processor indicating that it is charged but not woken, and upon receiving this signal, the appliance processor is configured to suspend power supply to the staple cartridge until it receives a wake signal from the staple cartridge. Upon receiving the wake signal, in such a situation, the appliance processor is configured to begin supplying power to the staple cartridge at a high power level.

[0128] In various embodiments, as described above, the staple cartridge processor is configured to switch from a low-power or sleep mode to a high-power or wake mode when the processor receives a combination of wake-up triggers. In various embodiments, the processor requires a specific combination of triggers to enter wake mode. For example, a cartridge processor switches to wake mode when sufficient potential is applied to the first input gate of the processor and then to the second input gate of the processor. In various embodiments, the processor is configured to switch from sleep mode to wake mode after a subset of triggers from a larger set of triggers has been received by the processor. In at least one such embodiment, the processor is configured to receive three wake triggers but to switch to wake mode after receiving any two of the wake triggers. While the potentials do not need to be applied to the processor gates simultaneously, there are embodiments in which the wake triggers must be applied to the processor simultaneously for the processor to switch to wake mode. In at least one embodiment, the processor is configured to receive two specific wake triggers simultaneously in order to switch from sleep mode to wake mode. In at least one such embodiment, one of the wake triggers is the charge accumulator 11800 reaching a sufficient charge level, while the other trigger is, for example, an event. That said, the charge accumulator 11800 reaching a sufficient charge level can function as a wake trigger in any of the embodiments disclosed herein, including the charge accumulator 11800 and / or any other suitable power storage device. Furthermore, various alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the charge accumulator 11800 is not charged until the cartridge processor switches from sleep mode to wake mode.

[0129] In various embodiments, the staple cartridge disclosed herein comprises at least one memory device configured to store data relating to the characteristics of the staple cartridge before, during, and / or after the staple firing stroke, and / or the tissue characteristics before, during, and / or after the staple firing stroke. The memory device communicates with a processor, which is configured to read data from the memory device and communicate the data in the stored data signal transmitted to the antenna of the staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the processor is configured to emit the stored data signal only after receiving a key or key signal that unlocks this function of the processor. Each time the processor accesses the memory device to generate the stored data signal, an event is recorded in the memory device. In this way, the memory device includes data relating to the number of times and the time the memory device has been accessed. Such access data may be included in the stored data signal. If the key signal supplied to the cartridge processor does not match an expected key signal stored in the cartridge processor and / or the memory device, the cartridge processor does not generate the stored data signal. Instead, the failed attempt is recorded in the memory device. In this way, the memory device includes data relating to the number of times access to the memory device data has been denied. Such access denied data can be included in the stored data signal when an appropriate key signal is supplied to the cartridge processor. In at least one embodiment, the cartridge processor enters a lock mode after the number of failed attempts to access the memory device exceeds a threshold. In at least one case, the threshold is, for example, five failed attempts. When the cartridge processor enters a lock mode, it is configured not to generate a stored data signal, even if an appropriate key signal is subsequently supplied. In such cases, the data stored on the memory device is no longer accessible.In at least one alternative embodiment, the processor is unlockable after entering lock mode when a master key or master key signal is supplied to the processor. Unlike a key, the master key may, in various cases, be held only by, for example, the original manufacturer of the staple cartridge. When a master key signal is supplied to the processor, the processor emits a stored data signal even if the processor is not in lock mode.

[0130] In addition to the above, data stored in the memory device can be encrypted or encoded according to any suitable protocol. After receiving a key and / or master key, the processor is configured to decrypt or decode the data stored on the memory device and transmit the decrypted or decoded data within the stored data signal. However, various alternative embodiments are conceivable in which the processor is configured to emit the encrypted or encoded data as part of the stored data signal. In at least one such embodiment, the decryption key or code stored in the memory device is included in the stored data signal. In such an embodiment, surgical instruments and / or any suitable system can decrypt or decode the data within the stored data system.

[0131] In various cases, the cartridge processor must receive a unique identification key to generate the stored data signal described above. This unique identification key is predefined and static, and anyone supplying the cartridge processor with the unique identification key can access the data stored on the memory device. In other embodiments, the key required to access the data stored on the memory device is dynamic. In at least one embodiment, the dynamic key includes performance information relating to the staple cartridge. Such performance information may include data relating to mechanical and / or electrical characteristics. For example, the dynamic key may include information regarding the final position of the threads in the staple cartridge after a staple firing stroke. Alternatively, for example, the dynamic key may include information regarding the maximum current drawn by the electric motor of the staple firing system, which is drawn during a staple firing stroke. In such cases, the performance information may be shared between the staple cartridge and the surgical instrument during and / or after the staple firing stroke. For example, the staple cartridge may be equipped with a thread position sensor that can communicate the final position of the threads after a staple firing stroke to the surgical instrument. Furthermore, for example, a surgical instrument may be equipped with an electric motor current sensor that can transmit the peak current drawn by the electric motor during the staple firing stroke to the staple cartridge. This performance information can also be shared, for example, with a robotic surgical system and / or an operating room control system. In any case, such shared performance data may include a dynamic key used to access data stored on the staple cartridge's memory device.

[0132] In addition to, or instead of, the staple cartridge includes a security circuit that closes when the movable components of the staple cartridge are positioned in a specific configuration. The security circuit communicates with a processor, and when the security circuit is closed, the processor is in an unlocked state, which allows the processor to generate stored data signals in response to query signals and / or allows data stored in a memory device to be accessed, for example, by surgical instruments, robotic surgical systems, and / or operating room control systems. When the security circuit is open, the processor is in a locked state and is configured not to emit stored data signals or to allow access to data stored in the memory device. In at least one embodiment, the security circuit of the staple cartridge is closed when the cover 11900 is not attached to the cartridge body and the threads are not in the un-firing position. In various embodiments, the security circuit prevents the processor from being powered by surgical instruments, for example, when the security circuit is open. When the security circuit is closed, the processor can be powered by surgical instruments. In such embodiments, when the processor is powered by a surgical instrument, the processor can generate stored data signals. In at least one such embodiment, a staple cartridge must be placed in the surgical instrument, for example, to complete a security circuit. In at least one embodiment, the security circuit includes an electrical contact that engages with a corresponding electrical contact in the surgical instrument, for example, the electrical contact that closes the security circuit when the staple cartridge is placed in the surgical instrument.

[0133] In various embodiments, the security circuit includes a security antenna that communicates with a corresponding security antenna within the surgical instrument, for example, when the staple cartridge is installed in the surgical instrument. In at least one such embodiment, a thread is positioned between the cartridge security antenna and the instrument security antenna when the thread is in a non-firing position. In such cases, the thread blocks or prevents communication between the staple cartridge and the surgical instrument across the security antenna pair. After the thread has moved distally, the thread no longer blocks the transmission of data and / or power between the staple cartridge and the surgical instrument.

[0134] In various embodiments, as described above, the security circuit of the staple cartridge can be configured in an open and a closed state. Various alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the security circuit is in a closed state, but the detectable characteristics of the security circuit change as a result of the movable components of the staple cartridge being in a particular configuration or range of configurations. In at least one embodiment, the potential across the security circuit is within a first voltage range when the cover 11900 is attached to the cartridge body and the thread is in the non-firing position, within a second voltage range when the cover 11900 is removed from the cartridge body and the thread is in the non-firing position, and within a third voltage range when the cover 11900 is removed from the cartridge body and the thread is in the firing position. When the potential across the ends of the security circuit is within the third voltage range, the processor is in an unlocked state. When the potential across the ends of the security circuit is within the first or second voltage range, the processor is, for example, in a locked state.

[0135] In various embodiments, the staple cartridge includes an access cover that is opened when the staple cartridge is placed in the cartridge jaw of a surgical instrument. When the access cover is opened, the data access circuit is closed, allowing the surgical instrument to access the memory device of the staple cartridge. In at least one example, the cartridge jaw includes a conductive contact element that bridges an opening in the data access circuit when the staple cartridge is placed in the cartridge jaw and the access cover is opened. In at least one embodiment, the access door includes, for example, a foil sheet. In at least one embodiment, the memory device includes, for example, an RFID tag. However, when the staple cartridge is not placed in the surgical instrument, the data access circuit is open and the memory device of the surgical instrument cannot be accessed.

[0136] The entire disclosures of U.S. Patent No. 8,991,678, titled “SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH STOWING KNIFE BLADE,” issued on March 31, 2015; U.S. Patent No. 10,085,749, titled “SURGICAL APPARATUS WITH CONDUCTOR STRAIN RELIEF,” issued on October 2, 2018; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015 / 0324317, titled “AUTHENTICATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR REUSABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS,” published on November 12, 2015, are incorporated herein by reference.

[0137] In addition to the above, the memory device of the staple cartridge can store any suitable data. For example, the stored data may include the size of the staples stored in the staple cartridge, the unformed height of the staples stored in the staple cartridge (which may be reflected in the color of the cartridge body), the number of staples stored in the staple cartridge, the arrangement of the staples stored in the staple cartridge, and / or the length of the staple pattern of the staples stored in the staple cartridge (e.g., 30 mm, 45 mm, or 60 mm). Also, for example, the stored data may include whether the staple cartridge was fired, when the staple cartridge was fired, the distance the thread moved during the staple firing stroke, the time elapsed during the staple firing stroke, the speed of the staple firing stroke, the acceleration and deceleration of the staple firing system during the staple firing stroke, the firing force received during the staple firing stroke, and / or whether foreign matter was encountered and / or cut during the staple firing stroke. Also, for example, the stored data may include the number of sensors in the staple cartridge, the type of sensors, and / or the location of the sensors in the cartridge body. Furthermore, for example, the stored data may include data sensed by a sensor. Also, for example, the stored data may include the type of tissue being stapled, the thickness of the tissue being stapled, the characteristics of the tissue being stapled, and / or the position of the tissue between the jaws of the end effector. Furthermore, for example, the stored data may include the manufacturing date of the staple cartridge, the lot to which the staple cartridge belongs, the place of manufacture of the staple cartridge, the manufacturer of the staple cartridge, the sterilization date of the staple cartridge, the type of sterilizer used to sterilize the staple cartridge, the expiration date of the staple cartridge, and / or whether the staple cartridge was fired past its expiration date, and the quantity thereof.

[0138] In at least one method, the staple cartridge is removed from its packaging and placed in the cartridge jaws of a stapling device. The stapling device is then attached to the arm of the robotic surgical system, and the robotic surgical system is powered on and / or switched from sleep mode to wake mode. The control system of the robotic surgical system is configured to transmit power through the surgical instrument to evaluate whether the staple cartridge is placed in the cartridge jaws, and then to transmit mechanical force through the surgical instrument to evaluate whether the staple cartridge is in a non-firing state. In at least one embodiment, in addition to the above, the robotic surgical system powers the staple cartridge by transmitting power to a data antenna, such as an NFC antenna in the surgical instrument. As described above, the staple cartridge is configured to return an identification signal to the surgical instrument. In various cases, this identification signal is processed on the surgical instrument and / or within the robotic surgical system. In any case, the staple cartridge is verified if the authentication procedure is successful. If the authentication procedure is unsuccessful, the robotic surgical system is configured to notify the clinician operating the robotic surgical system. To verify whether a staple cartridge is unused, i.e., whether it has been fired previously, the staple launcher is advanced distally by a small stroke driven by the motor of the surgical instrument and / or the robotic surgical system. If the staple launcher is blocked by a mechanical mechanism within the surgical instrument, the robotic surgical system is configured to determine that the staple cartridge has been used previously and to prevent the staple cartridge from being fired. If the staple launcher is not blocked by a mechanical mechanism, the robotic surgical system is configured to stop the staple launcher after the small stroke and determine that the staple cartridge has not been fired.In addition to identification data transmitted from the staple cartridge to the surgical instrument and / or robotic surgical system, the staple cartridge can also transmit data stored on the cartridge memory device, including the expiration date of the staple cartridge, the length of the staple pattern stored in the staple cartridge, the unformed height of the staples stored in the staple cartridge, the color of the plastic cartridge body, the manufacturer of the staple cartridge, and / or whether the staple cartridge has been fired. If the received parameters of the staple cartridge do not match the required parameters of the staple cartridge, the clinician operating the robotic surgical system is notified.

[0139] In addition to the above, staple cartridges, surgical instruments, and / or robotic surgical systems are configured to mitigate errors in cartridge data supplied by the staple cartridge and / or data loss from cartridge data. Data may be missing or erroneous due to, for example, short circuits in sensors, corrosion, incompatible or inaccurate staple cartridges being used, electronic interference from adjacent surgical instruments and / or surgical systems, software bugs, defective hardware, and / or sterilization processes. Therefore, one or more forms of redundancy can be used to improve the likelihood that surgical instruments and / or robotic surgical systems will receive data from the staple cartridge. For example, in at least one embodiment, the same data is stored at different locations within the stored data signal. In such cases, some data may be lost or corrupted in part of the signal but can be retrieved from another part of the signal. Also, stored data may include data from two different sources that can be considered functional equivalents. For example, data from a force or load sensor in the staple launch drive and data from a current sensor that monitors the current drawn in by the electric motor of the staple launch drive may both be part of the stored data. In such cases, if force sensor data is lost or damaged in the signal, the processor can, for example, rely on current sensor data to evaluate the force acting on the staple launch drive unit.

[0140] In at least one embodiment, a staple cartridge may comprise two or more memory devices having stored data. In at least one such embodiment, the staple cartridge processor, as part of an authentication or querying process for the staple cartridge, emits a first stored data signal containing data from a first memory device, and then emits a second stored data signal containing data from a second memory device. In at least one embodiment, if the data from the first and second memory devices is not corrupted, the first stored data signal matches the second stored data signal. In at least one embodiment, the first stored data signal includes a first signal header at the beginning of the first stored data signal, and the second stored data signal includes a second signal header at the beginning of the second stored data signal, which is different from the first signal header. In such cases, the control system of the surgical instrument processor and / or robotic surgical system can distinguish between the first stored data signal and the second data signal. If the control system of a surgical instrument processor and / or robotic surgical system determines that either signal is corrupted and / or data is missing, they are configured to establish priority over the other signal. In various cases, the first memory device is located on the first lateral side of the staple cartridge, and the second memory device is located on the second, or opposite, lateral side of the staple cartridge. Such a configuration can reduce the possibility of electronic interference affecting both signals. In at least one embodiment, the staple cartridge includes a first data antenna for transmitting the first stored data signal and a second data antenna for transmitting the second data signal.

[0141] Staple cartridges, surgical instruments, and / or robotic surgical systems can be configured to perform other mitigation efforts if the data contained in the stored data signal is corrupted and / or missing. In various cases, the staple cartridge may increase the power of the stored data signal if data is missing from the signal received by the surgical instrument and / or robotic surgical system. In at least one case, the processor of the surgical instrument and / or robotic surgical system may increase its noise threshold if the data received from the staple cartridge is corrupted.

[0142] In various embodiments, the data and / or power transmitted between the surgical instrument and the staple cartridge may be continuous or intermittent. In various embodiments, the transmitted data may include, for example, discrete digital data and / or continuous analog data. When transmitting digital data, RFID, NFC, Hitachi UHF, Bluetooth, Zigbee, mm wave, WiFi 802.11, and / or any other suitable wireless system can be used. Alternatively, when transmitting digital data, wired LAN communication, single-wire communication, EPROM IC, I 2 C, and / or any other suitable device may be used. Various types of digital data that can be transferred include, for example, motor feedback including current magnitude, rate of change of current over time, torque magnitude, rate of change of torque over time, position data from encoder, torque constant, magnetic strength, number of wire turns, armature length, data on torque-current curve, motor adjustment, EMF constant, dynamic resistance, reverse EMF, angular velocity, motor speed, and / or motor speed rate of change over time. Other data that can be transferred may include, for example, equipment handle hardware configuration, and / or data on physical contact and / or switches.

[0143] In addition to the above, the analog data to be transferred can include data derived electrically and data derived mechanically. Data derived electrically can include, for example, magnetic indicators, Hall effect sensor data, data regarding the state of switches, diode data, opening and closing of circuits, and / or destruction of circuits such as when a thread and / or tissue cutting knife cuts the circuit during a staple firing stroke. Data derived mechanically can include, for example, data based on magnitudes such as the force and / or motor current transmitted by a motor related to specific events of the staple firing stroke such as the firing member contacting the thread, the thread being removed from the proximal unfired position, staple formation, and / or the firing member contacting and / or breaking the staple cartridge's retaining mechanism. Data derived mechanically can also include, for example, time-based data comparing the motor's performance data with the time when an event occurs, and / or position-based data comparing the motor's performance data with the position of the staple firing drive unit. Data derived mechanically can also include, for example, mechanism-based data such as when the staple firing drive unit opens and / or closes a gate, and / or when the staple cartridge's retaining mechanism is broken by the staple firing drive unit.

[0144] In various embodiments, a surgical system, such as a robotic surgical system, may include a visualization system comprising at least one camera configured to observe parameters of a staple cartridge and, based on that observation, modify the operation of the robotic surgical system, surgical instruments, and / or the staple cartridge. For example, the visualization system is configured to detect and evaluate physical features or markers on the staple cartridge and cartridge jaws to determine whether the staple cartridge is fully seated within the cartridge jaws. If the markers on the staple cartridge and cartridge jaws are not properly aligned, the visualization system can, for example, instruct the robotic surgical system to lock out the jaw clamp and / or staple firing functions of the robotic surgical system. In various embodiments, the visualization system can instruct the robotic surgical system to warn the operator that the staple cartridge may not be properly seated within the cartridge jaws. Also, for example, the visualization system is configured to detect whether an embedded attachment is mounted on the deck of the staple cartridge and / or whether the embedded attachment is aligned with the deck of the staple cartridge. Similarly, the implanted attachments and staple cartridges include markers that a visualization system can detect and compare to evaluate whether the implanted attachments are properly aligned, and if they are not properly aligned, can instruct the robotic surgical system to warn the operator.

[0145] In various embodiments, in addition to the above, the visualization system is configured to observe the color of the cartridge body and provide this data to the robotic surgical system, which can display this data to the operator. In various cases, the color of the cartridge body indicates the size and / or unformed height of the staples contained therein. The robotic surgical system is configured to evaluate whether the staples contained in the staple cartridge are suitable for the surgical procedure being performed and to warn the operator if they are not suitable. In various cases, the visualization system is configured to read, for example, a barcode and / or QR code® on the staple cartridge and provide this data to the robotic surgical system, which can display this data to the operator. As above, this data may include the size and / or unformed height of the staples contained therein. The robotic surgical system is configured to evaluate whether the staples contained in the staple cartridge are suitable for the surgical procedure being performed and to warn the operator if they are not suitable. The QR code may include, for example, data identifying the serial number, manufacturing date, and / or manufacturer of the staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the QR code includes a decryption key or a portion of a decryption key for accessing a memory device within the staple cartridge. In various embodiments, the QR code is, for example, molded into the cartridge body, laser-etched onto the cartridge body and / or pan, and / or printed onto the cartridge body and / or pan.

[0146] As described above, referring to Figure 1, surgical instrument 10000 comprises a shaft 10200 and an end effector 10400 rotatably connected to the shaft 10200 about an articulated joint 10500. Surgical instrument 10000" is similar in many respects to surgical instrument 10000, referring to Figures 8-8D, most of which are not discussed herein for brevity. Like surgical instrument 10000, surgical instrument 10000" comprises a staple launching drive unit operable to perform a staple launching stroke to eject staples from staple cartridge 11000". The staple launching drive unit includes an electric motor, a tissue cutting knife 10630, and a launching bar 10640 distally driven by the electric motor to push the tissue cutting knife 10630 through staple cartridge 11000" during the staple launching stroke. In such cases, the tissue cutting knife 10630 contacts the thread 11400 of the staple cartridge 11000" and pushes the thread 11400 distally, ejecting the staple as the tissue cutting knife 10630 advances distally through the staple firing stroke. The tissue cutting knife 10630 further comprises a first cam 10610 configured to engage with a first jaw 10410 and a second cam 10620 configured to engage with a second jaw 10420 during the staple firing stroke. The first cam 10610 and the second cam 10620 are configured to cooperate in holding the jaws 10410 and 10420 in a predetermined position relative to each other when the staple is in contact with the second jaw 10420 and deformed.

[0147] In various embodiments, the staple launching drive unit can also be used to close the end effector 10400. In at least one such embodiment, the tissue cutting knife 10630 is advanced distally during the closing stroke so that the second cam 10620 contacts the second jaw 10420 and moves the second jaw 10420 from the open position to the closed position. After the closing stroke, the staple launching drive unit can be reactivated to perform the staple launching stroke described above. In an alternative embodiment, the surgical instrument comprises separate closing and staple launching drive units. In at least one such embodiment, the closing drive unit is actuated to close the second jaw 10420, and then the staple launching drive unit is actuated separately to perform the staple launching drive. In any case, the cams 10610 and 10620 can cooperate to hold the jaws 10410 and 10420 together during the staple launching stroke. However, other embodiments are conceivable that do not involve one or both of the cams 10610 and 10620.

[0148] In addition to the above, surgical instrument 10000” is equipped with a lockout 10700 similar to surgical instrument 10000, which prevents a staple firing stroke from being performed when the first jaw 10410 is empty, i.e., when the staple cartridge is missing, when the staple cartridge is positioned in the first jaw 10410 but not fully seated in the first jaw 10410, and / or when the staple cartridge is seated in the first jaw 10410 but has already been fired. However, when the staple firing stroke is initiated, the tissue cutting knife 10630 is pushed downward by a spring (in the shaft 10200) into the recess 10710 defined in the first jaw 10410 so that the tissue cutting knife 10630 contacts the locking shoulder 10720 and is prevented from advancing further distally. At such a point, the surgical instrument 10000" is locked out and cannot perform the staple firing stroke until an unused staple cartridge is fully seated in the first jaw 10410. Once the unused staple cartridge is fully seated in the first jaw 10410 and the staple firing stroke is resumed, the tissue cutting knife 10630 can pass the locking shoulder 10720 of the lockout 10700 and complete the staple firing stroke. More specifically, the thread 11400 of the staple cartridge 11000" supports the tissue cutting knife 10630 above the locking shoulder 10720 when the thread 11400 is in the proximal non-firing position at the start of the staple firing stroke. As stated above, any preferred frequency can be used.

[0149] U.S. Patent No. 7,143,923, title of invention "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A FIRING LOCKOUT FOR AN UNCLOSED ANVIL" (issued December 5, 2006), U.S. Patent No. 7,044,352, "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SINGLE LOCKOUT MECHANISM FOR PREVENTION OF FIRING" (issued May 16, 2006), U.S. Patent No. 7,000,818, "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS" (issued February 21, 2006), U.S. Patent No. 6,988,649, "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING A SPENT CARTRIDGE The entire disclosures of "LOCKOUT" (issued January 24, 2006) and U.S. Patent No. 6,978,921, "SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT INCORPORATING AN E-BEAM FIRING MECHANISM" (issued December 27, 2005) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0150] In addition to the above, the cartridge body 11100 includes a defined longitudinal slot 11150 therein, configured to receive the tissue cutting knife 10630 during the staple firing stroke. The longitudinal slot 11150 has a broad proximal end 11152 connected to a longitudinal portion 11156. The longitudinal slot 11150 further includes a raised or protruding portion 11154 extending inward into the longitudinal portion 11156. The raised portion 11154 releasably holds the thread 11400 in its proximal unfired position until the thread 11400 is pushed distally by the tissue cutting knife 10630 during the staple firing stroke. Such a configuration prevents, or reduces, the possibility of, the thread 11400 being accidentally pushed distally when, for example, the staple cartridge 11000" is positioned within the first jaw 10410. The raised portion 11154 can also come into contact with the tissue cutting knife 10630 during the staple firing stroke. In such cases, the tissue cutting knife 10630 can yield, plastically deform, and / or break one or both of the raised portions 11154. Such events are detected by the control system operating the staple firing drive unit, as will be discussed further below. It is possible to generate instantaneous pulses or increases of force required to move the tissue cutting knife 10630 distally. Notably, the ridge 11154 is positioned distal to the lockout 11700, so that the tissue cutting knife 10630 passes through the lockout 11700 and then the ridge 11154 at the start of the staple firing stroke. As described above, an alternative embodiment is contemplated having two sets of ridges, namely, one set of ridges 11154 for holding the thread 11400 in place and a second set of ridges for generating detectable force pulses.

[0151] Sensors within the end effector of surgical instruments measure various tissue and instrument parameters that enable the surgical instrument to perform several tasks. While faster sensor sampling rates are generally associated with more accurate sensor data, indiscriminately maximizing the sampling rate of all sensors within the end effector while the surgical instrument is active places a significant burden on power consumption, data transmission, and / or data processing.

[0152] Various aspects of this disclosure relate to circuits and / or algorithms for optimizing sensor data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing based on real-time constraints of data bandwidth or capacity, power transfer or discharge rate, and / or remaining power capacity.

[0153] Additionally or alternatively, various aspects of the present disclosure relate to circuits and / or algorithms that optimize sensor data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing based on one or more detected aspects of a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical task is performed by signals from the surgical instrument and / or a context-aware surgical hub that can represent a priority level of sensor data, as described in more detail below.

[0154] In various embodiments, surgical instruments may require different sensor configurations for different tasks. Furthermore, sensor data resolution requirements may vary between different tasks, and in certain cases, even within the duration of a single task. Various embodiments of this disclosure, as described in more detail below, cover circuits and / or algorithms that optimize sensor data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing based on various contextual information derived from various data sources.

[0155] Optimization of sensor data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing can be achieved, for example, by adjusting, adapting, or tuning one or more sensor parameters associated with data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing, such as sensor sampling rate, sampling drive current and / or voltage, acquisition rate, sensor data resolution, sensor data transmission rate, start-up duration, and / or start-up frequency. In at least one embodiment, a sensor or group of sensors can be switched to an inactive mode, idler mode, or active mode to optimize sensor data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing.

[0156] Figure 13 is a logic flow diagram of algorithm 1000, which shows a control program or logic configuration for optimizing sensor data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing in relation to a sensor array configured to detect one or more states of end effectors of surgical instruments. In the illustrated embodiment, algorithm 1000 includes detecting the bandwidth or capacity (B) of data transmission between the sensor array and a remote processing unit 1002, detecting the discharge rate (D) of a power supply configured to power the end effectors 1004, and adjusting the sensor parameters of the sensors of the sensor array or a subset of sensors based on the detected values ​​of the bandwidth (B) and the discharge rate (D). In some cases, algorithm 1000 further includes detecting the remaining capacity (R) of the power supply 1006, and adjusting the sensor parameters of the sensors of the sensor array or a subset of sensors based on the detected value of the remaining capacity (R) of the remote power supply 1008. In certain cases, as will be explained in more detail below, sensor parameter adjustment can be achieved by adjusting the sensor parameter values ​​based on the detected values ​​of bandwidth (B), discharge rate (D), and / or remaining capacity (R).

[0157] Figure 14 is a logic flow diagram of another algorithm 1010 showing a control program or logical configuration for optimizing sensor data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing in relation to a sensor array configured to detect one or more states of the end effector of a surgical instrument. Algorithm 1010 includes receiving one or more signals indicating the priority level of sensor data for a subset of sensors in the sensor array 1012, and adjusting the sensor parameters of the subset of sensors based on the detected priority level of the sensor data 1014. Additionally or alternatively, algorithm 1010 may further include adjusting the sensor parameters of another subset of sensors based on the priority level of sensor data 1016.

[0158] As described above, sensor parameter tuning (e.g., 1014, 1016) can be performed on one or more sensor parameters associated with data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing, such as sensor sampling rate, sampling drive current and / or voltage, acquisition rate, sensor data resolution, sensor data transmission rate, start-up time, and / or start-up frequency. In some cases, tuning of sensor parameters for a subset of sensors (e.g., 1014, 1016) is further based on real-time constraints such as data bandwidth (B), power discharge rate (D), and / or remaining power capacity (C).

[0159] In certain cases, sensor parameter tuning includes adjusting the content of the sampled waveform / signal (i.e., light spectrum, vibration frequency, AC frequency, etc.). In other cases, sensor parameter tuning includes adjusting the sampling time of the signal analyzer, reducing the number of active sensors, multiplexing / combining individual sensors into a single sensor, and / or analyzing different combinations of sensors.

[0160] Furthermore, sensor parameter adjustment may include one or more stepwise adjustments to the sensor parameters, which may be performed over one or more predetermined periods. Additionally or alternatively, sensor parameter adjustment may include one or more stepwise adjustments to the sampling parameters, which may be implemented over one or more predetermined time periods.

[0161] In certain cases, sensor parameters can be adjusted to a value equal to 0, or at least substantially equal to 0. Furthermore, sensor parameter adjustments can be separated, for example, by periods without adjustment. In various cases, sensor parameter adjustments may be performed according to one or more predefined equations, tables, and / or databases, as will be described in more detail below.

[0162] In addition to the above, algorithm 1010 may include adjusting the sensor parameters of a first subset of sensors in the sensor array based on the priority level of sensor data received from a second subset of sensors in the sensor array. For example, during joint movement of an end effector, algorithm 1010 may decrease the sampling parameters of a first subset of sensors associated with the closing and / or firing of the end effector, and increase the sampling parameters of a second subset of sensors associated with joint movement. The adjustment improves the resolution of joint movement sensor data without placing an excessive burden on data and / or power. In another embodiment, during firing of an end effector, algorithm 1010 may decrease the sampling parameters of a second subset of sensors associated with the closing of the end effector, and increase the sampling parameters of a first subset of sensors associated with firing. Additionally or alternatively, during closing, algorithm 1010 may increase the sampling parameters of a second subset of sensors associated with the closing of the end effector, and increase the sampling parameters of a first subset of sensors associated with firing. In at least one embodiment, joint movement, firing, and / or closure periods can be confirmed based on situational awareness data, as will be described in more detail below.

[0163] Figure 15 is a logic flow diagram of another algorithm 1080 showing a control program or logic configuration for optimizing sensor data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing in relation to a sensor array configured to detect one or more states of the end effector of a surgical instrument. In the illustrated embodiment, algorithm 1080 determines the priority level of one or more subsets of sensors in the sensor array 1081. In a particular case, the priority level may be determined based on one or more signals indicating a priority level, such as a task being performed or about to be performed by a surgical instrument. In any case, if the priority level is determined to be a high priority level (1082), one or more subsets of sensors are switched to, for example, active mode (1083). However, if the priority level is determined to be a low priority level (1082), one or more subsets of sensors are switched to, for example, idler mode (1084).

[0164] In various embodiments, active mode 1083 is defined by one or more higher values ​​of sensor parameters associated with data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing, such as sensor sampling rate, sampling drive current and / or voltage, acquisition rate, sensor data resolution, sensor data transmission rate, start-up duration, and / or start-up frequency. Conversely, idler mode 1084 is defined by lower values ​​of such sensor parameters compared to active mode 1083. Thus, sensor data in idler mode 1084 may be associated with high noise and low resolution. In some cases, the priority level of a subset of sensors is determined to be a high priority level, and if fluctuations or spikes are detected in the high-noise / low-resolution sensor data, a switch to active mode 1082 is triggered.

[0165] Figure 16 illustrates various embodiments of the surgical system 1020, configured to implement one or more algorithmic embodiments for optimizing sensor data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing, such as algorithms 1000, 1010, and 1080. In the illustrated embodiments, the surgical system 1020 includes a surgical instrument 1022, which includes a control circuit 1026. The surgical instrument 1022 may also include wired and / or wireless communication circuits for communicating with a surgical hub 1024, a local server, and / or a cloud-based system. In certain cases, the surgical instrument 1022 is a handheld surgical instrument. In other cases, the surgical instrument 1022 is a robotic surgical tool.

[0166] In the illustrated embodiment, the control circuit 1026 includes a microcontroller 1028 comprising one or more processors 1030 (e.g., microprocessors, microcontrollers) coupled to at least one memory circuit 1032. The memory circuit 1032 stores machine-executable instructions, which, when executed by the processor 1030, cause the processor 1030 to execute machine instructions for implementing various processes or algorithms described herein. The processor 1030 may be any one of the many single-core or multi-core processors known in the art. The memory circuit 1032 may comprise volatile and non-volatile storage media. The processor 1030 may include an instruction processing unit and an arithmetic unit. The instruction processing unit may be configured to receive instructions from the memory circuit 1032 of this disclosure. The control circuit 1026 may include analog or digital circuits such as, for example, a programmable logic device (PLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), discrete logic, or other hardware circuits, software and / or firmware, or other machine-executable instructions for performing the functions described herein.

[0167] In addition to the above, the control circuit 1026 signals to the motor driver 1034, the feedback system 1038, the power supply 1043 (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor, or any other suitable energy source), and the sensor array 1036 configured to detect one or more states of the end effector 1040 of the surgical instrument 1022. The electric motor 1042, driven by the motor driver 1034, is operably coupled to a longitudinally movable displacement member 1044, which is configured to drive firing, closing, and / or articulation movements in the end effector 1040, as described in more detail elsewhere in this specification. In certain cases, the surgical instrument 1022 may include a dedicated motor driver and / or motor for firing, closing, and / or articulation movements.

[0168] In certain cases, the control circuit 1026 can control the motor 1042 by generating a motor setpoint signal. The motor setpoint signal may be provided to the motor driver 1034. The motor driver 1034 may comprise one or more circuits configured to drive the motor 1042 by providing a motor drive signal to the motor 1042, as described herein. In some cases, the motor 1042 may be a brushed DC electric motor. For example, the speed of the motor 1042 may be proportional to the motor drive signal. In some cases, the motor 1042 may be a brushless DC electric motor, and the motor drive signal may include a PWM signal provided to one or more stator windings of the motor 1042. Also, in some embodiments, the motor driver 1034 may be omitted, and the control circuit 1026 may generate the motor drive signal directly.

[0169] In various embodiments, the sensor array 1036 may include, but is not limited to, sensors for detecting one or more conditions at the distal end of the end effector 1040, such as Hall effect sensors or reed switch sensors, optical sensors, magnetic induction sensors, force sensors, pressure sensors, piezoelectric resistance film sensors, ultrasonic sensors, eddy current sensors, accelerometers, pulse oxygen measurement sensors, temperature sensors, sensors configured to detect the electrical properties of tissue pathways (such as capacitance or resistance), or any combination thereof, or tissue thickness sensors. In particular cases, but not limited to, the sensor array 1036 may include one or more sensors located on or around the articular joint of the surgical instrument 1022, such as potentiometers, capacitive sensors (slide potentiometers), piezoresistive film sensors, pressure sensors, or any other suitable sensor type. In some configurations, the sensor array 1036 may include multiple sensors located at multiple positions within the end effector 1040.

[0170] Referring to Figure 16, the surgical instrument 1022 further includes a transmission system 1045 configured to transfer data / communication signals from a microcontroller 1028 to an end effector 1040. Additionally or alternatively, the transmission system 1045 may be further configured to transfer power from a power supply 1040 to the end effector 1040. In at least one example, data transfer and / or power transfer are achieved via a wired connection. In another example, data transfer and / or power transfer are achieved via a wireless connection. In certain cases, the transmission system 1045 includes a wireless connection portion and a wired connection portion. The wireless connection portion facilitates reliable transmission of power and / or data through the moving parts of the surgical instrument 1022, such as a joint or articulation joint.

[0171] In various examples, the transmission system 1045 uses one or more wireless communication protocols, such as a low-frequency RFID protocol, a high-frequency RFID protocol, a near-field communication (NFC) protocol, an ultra-high frequency RFID protocol, a Bluetooth® communication protocol, a Qi protocol, or a proprietary communication protocol, or any other suitable communication protocol. U.S. Patent No. 9,171244, issued on 27 October 2015, titled "RFID TAG," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a short-range wireless communication mechanism.

[0172] In at least one embodiment, the NFC protocol may utilize a total bit rate of 426 kbit / s. Other preferred total bit rates are also contemplated in this disclosure. In certain cases, the transmission system 1045 operates at a lower bit rate, for example, due to excessive noise. In certain cases, the NFC communication protocol utilizes half-duplex communication.

[0173] The transmission system 1045 connects the end effector 1040 to a remote processing unit, such as a processor 1030, and / or a remote power source, such as a power supply 1043. In certain examples, the remote processing unit and / or power source may be located in a proximal position away from the end effector 1040, such as within the proximal housing or handle of a surgical instrument 1022. The transmission system 1045 ensures a reliable connection between the end effector 1040 and the remote processing unit and / or remote power source.

[0174] As described above, the end effector 1040 may include a sensor array 1036 configured to monitor one or more aspects of tissue grasped by the surgical instrument 1022 and / or the end effector 1040. In at least one example, the sensor array 1036 is incorporated into, or partially incorporated into, a staple cartridge 1046 that is releasably coupled to a cartridge channel 1048 of the end effector 1040. At least one of the cartridge channel 1048 and the anvil 1031 is movable relative to the other to capture tissue between the anvil 1031 and the staple cartridge 1046. The transmission system 1045 may be configured to transfer power to the staple cartridge 1046 for the operation of the sensor array 1036. Additionally or alternatively, the transmission system 1045 may transfer data / communication signals between, for example, the staple cartridge 1046 and the microcontroller 1028.

[0175] As will be described in more detail below, the various components of the transmission system 1045 are arranged or positioned to facilitate wireless transmission of power and / or data signals within the end effector 1040, for example, from the cartridge support channel of the end effector 1040 to the staple cartridge 1046 which is releasably insertable into the cartridge support channel. Additionally or alternatively, the transmission system 1045 may be arranged or positioned to facilitate wireless transmission of power and / or data signals from the shaft of the surgical instrument 1022 to the end effector 1040, for example, across a joint connecting the shaft and the end effector 1040.

[0176] In various cases, the staple cartridge 1046 may house, or at least partially house, the sensor array 1036. The power supply 1043 can be configured to power the sensor array 1036. The power supplied by the power supply 1043 can be wirelessly transmitted to the staple cartridge 1046 via the transmission system 1045. Furthermore, the microcontroller 1028 can communicate signals with the sensor array 1036. Data / communication signals can be wirelessly transmitted between the surgical instrument 1022 and the staple cartridge 1046 via the transmission system 1045. In addition, the transmission system 1045 can also be used to transmit various command signals to the sensor array 1036.

[0177] Referring to Figures 16 and 17, in a particular case, the staple cartridge 1046 includes a local control circuit 1049 that communicates with a sensor array 1036. The local control circuit 1049 and / or the sensor array 1036 can be wirelessly powered by a power supply 1043 via a transmission system 1045. Figure 17 shows an exemplary implementation of the local control circuit 1049. In the illustrated embodiment, the local control circuit 1049 includes a local microcontroller 1076 having a local processor 1041 and a local memory circuit 1047. The local memory circuit 1047 can store machine-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor 1041, cause the processor 1041 to execute various processes or algorithms according to this disclosure. The processor 1041 may be any one of the many single-core or multi-core processors known in the art. The memory circuit 1047 may comprise volatile and non-volatile storage media. The processor 1041 may include an instruction processing unit and an arithmetic unit. The instruction processing unit may be configured to receive instructions from the memory circuit 1047 of the present disclosure. In certain cases, the control circuit 1049 may include analog or digital circuits such as a programmable logic device (PLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), discrete logic, or other hardware circuitry, software and / or firmware, or other machine-executable instructions for performing the functions described below.

[0178] In certain cases, the control circuit 1049 includes a sensor circuit. Signals from the sensors of the sensor array 1036 (e.g., voltage, current, resistance, impedance, capacitance, inductance, frequency, phase, etc.) can be adjusted by the sensor circuit.

[0179] In addition to the above, the local microcontroller 1076 can communicate wirelessly with the microcontroller 1028 via the transmission system 1045. Sensor data from the sensor array 1036 can be collected and prepared for transmission by the local control circuit 1049. The local microcontroller 1076 can be configured to compress the sensor data before transmitting it to the control circuit 1026 via the transmission system 1045.

[0180] Various aspects of one or more algorithms described herein can be executed in cooperation with control circuit 1026, control circuit 1049, or both. For brevity, the following description will focus only on execution by control circuit 1049 or by control circuit 1026, but this should not be construed as an limitation.

[0181] Figures 6 to 8 show different implementations 1051, 1052, and 1053 of the transmission system 1045. The reader will understand that other implementations are contemplated by this disclosure. Figure 8 shows an exemplary implementation 1053 of the transmission system 1045 in which data and power are transmitted wirelessly separately using two independent paths. Alternatively, Figure 7 shows an exemplary implementation 1052 of the transmission system 1045 in which data and power are transmitted wirelessly sequentially using a single path. Alternatively, Figure 6 shows an exemplary implementation 1051 of the transmission system 1045 in which data and power are transmitted wirelessly simultaneously using a single path.

[0182] Through the transmission system 1045, the staple cartridge 1046 may be wirelessly powered from the power supply 1043, as shown in the implementation configurations 1051, 1052, and 1053 of Figures 6 to 8. The supplied power is used for sensor data acquisition and / or signal processing of the sensor array 1036. In certain cases, power is supplied directly to the sensor array 1036 by the power supply 1043. Alternatively, a local power supply, such as a charge accumulator 11800 (Figure 7), may power the sensor array 1036. The charge accumulator 11800 may include a storage capacitor that can be charged by the power supplied by the power supply 1043. In various embodiments, the discharge rate (D) and / or remaining charge capacity (C) can be detected or monitored by a charge meter.

[0183] In addition to the above, the control circuit 1049 can be configured or programmed to adjust the sensor parameters of one or more subsets of the sensors of the sensor array 1036 to balance power draw and residual power capacity according to one or more formulas, tables, and / or databases stored in memory circuit 1032 or memory circuit 1047, for example. As shown in Figure 18, the sampling rate (S) can be selected from Table 1090 based on the detected values ​​of bandwidth (B), discharge rate (D), and / or residual capacity (R). For example, detected values ​​B1, D1, and R1 cause the control circuit 1049 to select the sampling rate (S1). Then, the sampling rate (S) of one or more subsets of the sensors of the sensor array 1036 can be adjusted to, for example, the sampling rate (S1). Thus, sensor data acquisition and / or signal processing of the sensor array 1036 can be automatically adjusted by the control circuit 1026 or local control circuit 1049 to balance power draw and residual capacity.

[0184] Referring primarily to Figures 15 and 16, the control circuit 1026 can be configured to determine the priority level of sensor data received from a subset of sensors in the sensor array 1036 based on one or more signals indicating priority levels. In certain cases, the signals are transmitted from the surgical hub 1024 to the control circuit 1026. In other cases, one or more signals are transmitted from one or more sensors to the control circuit 1026. In other cases, one or more signals are transmitted from the feedback system 1038 to the control circuit 1026.

[0185] In certain cases, one or more signals communicate contextual information derived from received data relating to the surgical procedure, surgical instrument 1022, and / or the patient. Contextual information can be derived by the situation-aware surgical hub 1024. In one example, contextual information can be derived by the control circuit of the surgical hub 1024. In another example, contextual information can be derived by a cloud computing system. In yet another example, contextual information can be derived by a distributed computing system that includes, for example, the aforementioned cloud computing system and / or at least one of the control circuits of the surgical hub 1024 in combination with the control circuit 1026 of the surgical instrument 1022. For economic reasons, the following description will focus on contextual information derived by the control circuit of the surgical hub 1024. However, it should be understood that deriving contextual information can be achieved by any of the aforementioned examples.

[0186] In certain cases, contextual information is derived from one or more data sources, such as databases, patient monitoring devices, and modular devices. In one example, the database may include a patient EMR database associated with the medical facility where the surgical procedure is performed. Data received from the data source may include pre- and post-operative data, including pre-operative, intra-operative, and / or post-operative data associated with a given surgical procedure. Data received from the database may include the type of surgical procedure being performed, or the patient's medical history (e.g., medical conditions that may or may not be relevant to the surgical procedure). In one example, the control circuit of the surgical hub 1024 may receive patient or surgical procedure data by querying the patient EMR database with a unique identifier associated with the patient. The surgical hub may receive a unique identifier, for example, from a scanner used to scan a patient's wristband that codes for a unique identifier associated with the patient when the patient enters the operating room.

[0187] In one example, the patient monitoring device includes a BP monitor, an EKG monitor, and other such devices configured to monitor one or more parameters associated with the patient. The patient monitoring device can be paired with the surgical hub 2034 so that the surgical hub receives data from there. In one example, the data received from a modular device paired with (i.e., communicably coupled to) the surgical hub 1024 may include, for example, operational data (i.e., whether the device is powered on or in use), data on the internal state of the modular device (e.g., firing or closing force of a surgical cutting and stapling device, pressure difference of a pneumoperitoneum or fume ventilator, or energy level of an RF or ultrasonic surgical instrument), or patient data (e.g., tissue type, tissue thickness, mechanical properties of the tissue, respiratory rate, or airway volume).

[0188] In certain cases, contextual information may include, for example, the type of procedure being performed, specific steps being performed in a surgical procedure, the patient's condition (e.g., whether the patient is under anesthesia or in the operating room), or the type of tissue being operated on. In certain cases, contextual information may be obtained from pre- and post-operative data, including, for example, data relating to the modular device itself (e.g., pressure difference, motor current, internal force, or motor torque), or data relating to the patient on whom the modular device is being used (e.g., tissue characteristics, respiratory rate, airway volume, or laparoscopic image data). Further details are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 209,395, titled "METHOD OF HUB COMMUNICATION" (now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2019 / 0201136), filed on 4 December 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0189] In some cases, contextual information is derived from imaging data received from one or more imaging devices. The imaging data may represent individual images or video streams. A medical imaging device may include optical components and an image sensor that generates image data. Optical components include, for example, lenses or light sources. Image sensors include, for example, charge-coupled devices (CCDs) or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices. Various examples include endoscopes, laparoscopes, thoracoscopes, and other such imaging devices. Image or video data from a medical imaging device (or a data stream representing video from a digital medical imaging device) may be processed by a pattern recognition system or machine learning system to recognize features (e.g., organ or tissue type) within the field of view (FOV) of a medical imaging device 5108. Contextual information that may be derived from the recognized features may include, for example, what type of surgical procedure (or which step thereof) is being performed, which organ is being operated on, or in which body cavity the surgery is being performed.

[0190] In various embodiments, the control circuit 1026 is configured to select a priority level for one or more subsets of sensors in the sensor array 1036 according to algorithm 1010, based on contextual information. Furthermore, the control circuit 1026 may switch one or more subsets of sensors in the sensor array 1036 between active mode 1083 and idler mode 1084, based on contextual information, according to algorithm 1080. In at least one embodiment, the control circuit 1026 can use contextual information derived from the operating room imaging / video feed to identify steps in a surgical procedure and further prioritize sensor data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing based on the steps being performed. For example, the control circuit 1026 may, based on contextual information, identify steps in anastomotic surgical procedures, such as an initial tissue engagement step. Identification of the initial tissue engagement step then causes the control circuit 1026 to switch one or more sensor subsets to active mode 1083.

[0191] Referring to Figures 13 and 16, the control circuit 1026 may be configured to determine the priority level of one or more sensor subsets of the sensor array 1036 based on one or more signals indicating the surgical status of the surgical instrument 1022. The signals may include data relating to the operating parameters of the surgical instrument 1022. For example, the signals may include data relating to the function of a motor (e.g., motor 1042).

[0192] Motor data can indicate whether the end effector 1040 is in joint motion, closure motion, or firing motion. A control circuit (e.g., control circuits 1026, 049) may be configured or programmed to prioritize one or more sensors of the surgical instrument 1022 based on the type of motion performed by the end effector 1040. For example, closure and firing typically occur after the completion of joint motion and when the user is fully satisfied with the joint motion position of the end effector 1040. Therefore, the control circuit may be configured or programmed to assign a lower priority to the closure and / or firing sensor data than to the joint motion sensor data, for example, in response to the detection of joint motion. The control circuit may, for example, adjust the sensor parameters associated with a subset of sensors associated with joint motion to increase the sampling rate of the subset. Additionally, the control circuit may also adjust the sensor parameters associated with a subset of sensors related to closure and / or firing to decrease the sampling rate of the subset during joint motion.

[0193] Similar configurations can be adopted to prioritize closing sensor data over firing sensor data during the closing of the end effector 1040, and / or firing sensor data over closing sensor data during the firing of the end effector 1040. As described above, this real-time balancing approach ensures that power resources, data transmission, and / or data processing resources are not overburdened.

[0194] Referring to Figures 14, 15, and 16, the control circuit 1026 may be configured to determine the priority level of one or more sensor subsets of the sensor array 1036 based on one or more signals indicating the overall movement of the surgical instrument 1022. The surgical instrument 1022 may include one or more sensors configured to measure the overall movement of the surgical instrument 1022, such as accelerometers. Detecting the overall movement of the surgical instrument 1022 can indicate the state of the end effector 1040. For example, overall movement can indicate that the end effector 1040 is outside the patient's body cavity. Thus, the control circuit 1026 may be configured or programmed to lower the priority of closure and / or firing sensor data in response to signals indicating the overall movement of the surgical instrument 1022. In at least one embodiment, lowering the priority of closure and / or firing sensor data includes switching the sensors of the sensor array 1036 associated with closure and / or firing to idler mode 1084. In at least one embodiment, lowering the priority of the closure and / or launch sensor data includes adjusting one or more sensor parameters of the sensors of the sensor array 1036 associated with the closure and / or launch, such as sensor parameters that control sensor data acquisition, processing, and / or transmission.

[0195] In addition to the above, a similar approach can be taken in response to signals indicating the loading procedure, signals including start data and / or tool docking data, signals indicating a high end-effector speed, and / or any other signals indicating that cartridge sensing is not required at a particular stage. The control circuit 1026 can be configured or programmed to adjust one or more sensor parameters of the sensor array 1036 in response to the detection of one or more of such conditions to minimize sensor power / data overload.

[0196] Determining the priority level of one or more sensor subsets according to one or more algorithms (e.g., algorithms 1010, 1080) 1081 can be achieved in several ways. In one embodiment, the priority level may be a binary priority level, and the control circuit 1026 is configured to select, for example, between a high priority level or a low priority level. In some cases, the high priority level is associated with an active mode 1083, and the low priority level is associated with an idler mode 1084. In other embodiments, the priority level includes a value that can be determined based, for example, one or more formulas, tables, and / or databases stored in the memory circuit 1032. One or more conditions may contribute to the priority level according to preset values ​​stored in the form of formulas, tables, and / or databases.

[0197] Referring primarily to Figures 13 and 16, as described above, algorithm 1000 includes detecting the data transmission bandwidth (B) or maximum data transmission rate 1002 via the transmission system 1045. The data transmission bandwidth (B) can be detected in several ways (1002). For example, data can be transmitted through the transmission system 1045 at a rate that is gradually or incrementally increased until an error is detected or the signal strength no longer allows for a higher transmission rate. A data reception acknowledgment and / or data integrity acknowledgment can be requested for each transmission. If an acknowledgment is received, the transmission rate for the next transmission is increased. However, if no acknowledgment is received, it can be concluded that the most recent transmission rate exceeds the bandwidth capacity of the transmission system 1045. In such cases, for example, the transmission rate preceding the most recent transmission rate can be determined as the data transmission bandwidth (B) of the transmission system. In certain cases, the initial transmission is performed using the default transmission rate. Next, subsequent transfers are performed using a transfer rate that is gradually or incrementally increased according to a predetermined value until, for example, the data transmission bandwidth (B) is detected due to lack of confirmation.

[0198] Additionally or alternatively, the data transmission bandwidth (B) can be detected during the initial response or handshake (1002). The response and / or handshake signals can be transmitted between the control circuit 1026 and the local control circuit 1049 via the transmission system 1045 as part of the start, initialization, and / or wake-up sequence of the staple cartridge 1046 and / or surgical instrument 1022, for example.

[0199] In certain cases, the transmission rate associated with one or more successful transmissions during previous uses of the surgical instrument 1022 is stored and then used when detecting bandwidth (B) in subsequent uses of the surgical instrument 1022 or other similar surgical instruments 1022. In one embodiment, the successful transmission rate can be stored in the memory circuit 1032 for sharing during the initial response or handshake in future use. The control circuit 1026 can be configured or programmed to monitor cartridge reloads used with the surgical instrument 1022, each attempting to maximize data throughput, and can then suggest the maximum transfer rate that a previous cartridge reload could achieve to a future cartridge reload.

[0200] In another embodiment, the successful transmission rate can be transmitted to a surgical hub (e.g., surgical hub 1024) and / or a cloud-based system for data aggregation and analysis. The data transmission bandwidth (B) can be determined, for example, based on a signal received from the surgical hub or cloud-based system indicating the data transmission bandwidth (B) (1002).

[0201] Figure 19 is a logic flowchart of algorithm 1100, which shows a control program or logic configuration for monitoring and addressing signal interference in power and / or data signal transmission between staple cartridge 1046 and surgical instrument 1022. As described elsewhere in this specification, reloading of staple cartridge 1046 is releasably coupled to surgical instrument 1022 by being placed in cartridge channel 1048 of end effector 1040. Furthermore, when staple cartridge 1046 is placed in cartridge channel 1048, a wireless connection is established between staple cartridge 1046 and surgical instrument 1022, allowing for wireless transmission of power and / or data signals (1102). Power and / or data signals can be transmitted through a wiring harness extending into the cartridge channel, and then through the wireless power and / or data transfer circuit(s) of transmission system 1045. Power and / or data signal transmission is subject to various internal and external interferences.

[0202] Various internal and external factors can cause signal interference, such as signal interference from environmental factors including the presence of tissue and / or fluid within the end effector 1040, signal interference from other surgical tools, or even from other components of the surgical instrument 1022. The radio power and / or data transfer circuit(s) may be at least partially fixed to the metal cartridge channel 1048. In certain cases, parasitic losses through the metal cartridge channel 1048, antenna mismatch in the radio power and / or data transfer circuit(s), and / or secondary magnetic field generation may also contribute to signal interference.

[0203] To manage signal interference, algorithm 1100 monitors for interference in the transmission of power and / or data signals between the surgical instrument 1022 and the staple cartridge 1046 (1104). Algorithm 1100 further adjusts the operating parameters of the surgical instrument 1022 based on the interference (1106). In at least one example, adjusting the operating parameters (1106) includes adjusting the intensity of the data signal, the data transmission rate, and / or the power transmission rate based on the detected interference. In a particular case, adjusting the operating parameters (1106) includes adjusting one or more sensor parameters associated with data acquisition, transmission, and / or processing, such as the sensor sampling rate, sampling drive current and / or voltage, acquisition rate, sensor data resolution, sensor data transmission rate, start-up duration, and / or start-up frequency. In at least one embodiment, the sensor or sensor group can be switched to an inactive mode, idler mode, or active mode to mitigate interference.

[0204] In addition to the above, monitoring for interference (1104) can be achieved by comparing the expected data transfer by the transmission system 1045 with the actual data transfer to account for losses due to interference. If the difference between the expected data transfer and the actual data transfer is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the transmission system 1045 adjusts one or more operating parameters of the surgical instrument 1022, such as the strength of the data signal, to mitigate the interference. In various embodiments, monitoring for interference (1104) includes monitoring signal stability, the number of lost data packets, and / or the identifiable signal-to-random noise ratio. If the signal stability, the number of lost data packets, and / or the identifiable signal-to-random noise ratio are greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, the transmission system 1045 adjusts one or more operating parameters of the surgical instrument 1022 as described above.

[0205] Furthermore, monitoring interference (1104) may include determining the interference level based on one or more factors contributing to the inference level. Factors may include, for example, the ratio of expected data transfer to actual data transfer, signal stability, the number of lost data packets, and / or the identifiable signal-to-random noise ratio. The contribution of individual factors to the interference level can be determined from interference formulas, interference tables, and / or interference databases that can be stored in memory circuits (e.g., memory circuits 1032, 1047). The control circuit 1026 may be configured or programmed to calculate the interference level based on the individual contributions of individual factors, for example. The control circuit 1026 may further compare the determined interference level with a predetermined threshold. If the determined interference level is greater than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the processor may adjust one or more operating parameters of the surgical instrument 1022, for example, until the monitored interference level decreases to a value less than the predetermined threshold (1016), as described above.

[0206] Referring primarily to Figures 6-8 and 17, the staple cartridge 1046 can be configured to detect which of the transmission system 1045 implementations 1051, 1052, or 1053 is available for wireless signal transmission between the staple cartridge 1046 and the surgical instrument 1022. The staple cartridge 1046 may further select various protocols and / or algorithms associated with the available implementations. In one example, the control circuit 1049 can detect the available implementations of the transmission system 1045 by detecting the presence of one or two local antenna arrays. If two antenna arrays are detected, as embodied by implementation 1053 in Figure 8, the control circuit 1049 may adjust one or more operating parameters of the surgical instrument 1022 and / or select one or more algorithms and / or communication protocols associated with separate power and data transfers. Alternatively, as embodied by the implementation configurations 1051 and 1052 in Figures 6 and 7, if only a single antenna array is detected, the control circuit 1049 may adjust one or more operating parameters of the surgical instrument 1022 and / or select one or more algorithms and / or communication protocols associated with simultaneous / sequential power and data transfer.

[0207] In various embodiments, antenna array detection is performed, or at least partially performed, by the control circuit 1049 during a wake-up or activation sequence or a handshake protocol. In at least one embodiment, antenna array detection is performed by the control circuit 1049 using a predetermined test signal. In some cases, the control circuit 1049 detects and monitors short-range and / or long-range data transfer activity to determine connectivity characteristics and / or instruction hierarchy. In certain cases, the control circuit 1049 performs selective pairing based on sensor array capabilities.

[0208] Figure 20 is a logic flowchart of algorithm 1110, which shows a control program or logic configuration for optimizing power transmission from surgical instrument 1022 to staple cartridge 1046. As described above, the transmission system 1045 can wirelessly electrically couple the surgical instrument 1022 and the staple cartridge 1046 while the staple cartridge 1046 is installed in the jaws of the end effector 1040. In at least one example, one or more aspects of algorithm 1110 are performed by a power management circuit which may be at least partially implemented by control circuit 1026, control circuit 1049, and / or a separate power management circuit. In the illustrated embodiment, algorithm 1110 includes wirelessly transmitting power from surgical instrument 1022 to staple cartridge 1046 (1112), monitoring the efficiency of power transfer from surgical instrument 1022 to staple cartridge 1046 (1114), and adjusting the operating parameters of surgical instrument 1022 based on the transfer efficiency (1116).

[0209] In various embodiments, monitoring the efficiency of power transfer (1114) includes comparing expected power transfer with actual power transfer. In specific cases, monitoring the efficiency of power transfer (1114) includes comparing transfer parameters, such as transmission speed, with predetermined thresholds. Further efficiency of power transfer may be affected by several environmental factors, including parasitic losses, interference, antenna mismatch, and / or secondary magnetic field generation. In specific cases, monitoring the efficiency of power transfer (1114) includes monitoring one or more of such environmental factors.

[0210] Referring to Figure 20, the adjusted (1116) operating parameters of the surgical instrument may also be the transfer parameters of the transmission system 1045. In certain cases, adjusting the operating parameters (1116) of the surgical instrument 1022 includes adjusting one or more aspects of the power transfer waveform, adjusting the power transfer speed, and / or adjusting the power transfer frequency. Additionally or alternatively, adjusting the operating parameters 1116 of the surgical instrument 1022 may include adaptive voltage scaling. Additionally or alternatively, adjusting the operating parameters 1116 of the surgical instrument 1022 may include real-time tuning of at least one component of the transmission system 1045, as will be described in more detail below.

[0211] One or more transfer parameters associated with a previous power transfer between the surgical instrument 1022 and one or more staple cartridges 1046 are stored, for example, by the memory circuit 1032. Additionally or alternatively, the transfer parameters associated with previous power transfers can be uploaded to a local server and / or cloud-based system, for example, for data aggregation and analysis. In certain cases, the power management circuit of the surgical instrument 1022 may determine the transfer parameters for a future power transfer based at least in part on the stored transfer parameters associated with a previous power transfer. In at least one example, the power management circuit may determine the transfer parameters for a future power transfer and then, before executing the determined transfer parameters, compare the determined transfer parameters with the stored transfer parameters to ensure that the determined transfer parameters are within an acceptable threshold based on the stored transfer parameters.

[0212] In certain cases, adjusting the operating parameters of the surgical instrument 1022 (1116) includes adjusting the power drive frequency of the transmission system 1045 based on the current operating conditions. Because restrictive regulations exist regarding the use of EM frequencies that may vary between different regions, the power management circuit may implement one or more algorithms to select an optimal power drive frequency that also complies with such regulations. In other words, when selecting an optimal power drive frequency, the power management circuit may be limited to locally available unlicensed frequency bands.

[0213] In addition to the above, selecting the optimal power drive frequency may also depend on which implementation configuration of the transmission system 1045 is available. For example, in implementation configuration 1053 of Figure 8, which shows separate data and power transmissions, power transfer is not limited by the data transfer frequency standard. In such specific cases, the optimal power drive frequency is selected from a different value than the data transfer frequency. However, in implementation configurations 1051 and 1052 of Figures 6 and 7, which show simultaneous or continuous power and data transfers, the power transfer frequency standard is applied. Therefore, the power management circuit may implement one or more algorithms for selecting the optimal power drive frequency, at least partially based on the available implementation configurations of the transmission system 1045. As described above, detecting the available implementation configurations of the transmission system 1045 may be done by detecting the presence of one or two local antenna arrays. Alternatively, the power management circuit may detect the available implementation configurations of the transmission system 1045 by various test signals.

[0214] In certain cases, adjusting the operating parameters of the surgical instrument 1022 (1116) includes circuit tuning for resonance, frequency matching, and / or impedance matching. Figure 21 shows an exemplary implementation configuration 1120 of the first antenna circuit 1121 and the second antenna circuit 1122 of the transmission system 1045 for power transfer between the surgical instrument 1022 and the staple cartridge 1046. Other implementation configurations are contemplated in this disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the first antenna circuit 1121 receives an input voltage V inIt is connected. Input voltage V in This could be, for example, a power supply 1043 t...

Claims

1. Surgical instruments, Housing and A shaft extending from the housing, A controller equipped with a processor, It is an end effector, Joe, equipped with a metal wall antenna, An end effector comprising an antenna circuit attached to the metal wall antenna, which communicates with the processor, It is a staple cartridge, The cartridge body installed in the jaw, The staples are detachably stored inside the cartridge body, It comprises a staple cartridge having a signal emitter configured to emit a wireless signal, A surgical instrument wherein the staple cartridge further comprises a mask for directing the radio signal emitted by the signal emitter.

2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the mask is made of ferrite.

3. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the end effector comprises a second mask for controlling the radio signal received by the signal emitter.

4. The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the mask is made of ferrite.

5. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a horn antenna in which the signal emitter is configured to emit the radio signal toward the metal wall antenna.

6. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge body comprises an upper deck configured to support patient tissue and a bottom, and the staple cartridge comprises a pan that extends at least partially below the bottom, the pan communicating with the signal emitter.

7. The surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein the signal emitter comprises a first transmission antenna and the pan comprises a second transmission antenna.

8. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a handle.

9. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a mounting portion configured to be attached to a robotic surgical instrument.

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