SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION

1 . A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle;

a movable input;

an analog sensor configured to detect the position of said movable input, wherein said analog sensor is configured to produce an analog signal comprising analog data; and

a microcontroller comprising an input channel, wherein said analog sensor is in signal communication with said input channel, wherein said microcontroller is configured to compare said analog data to a reference value, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to produce a digital signal in response to said comparison.

2 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said microcontroller is configured to sample said analog data, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate a digital bit for each sample of said analog data.

3 . The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an on bit if a sample is above said reference value, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an off bit if a sample is below said reference value.

4 . The surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein said reference value comprises a first reference value, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to compare said analog data to a second reference value.

5 . The surgical instrument of claim 4 , wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an on bit if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an off bit if a sample is below said first reference value, and wherein said microcontroller can be configured to generate a fault condition if a sample is above said second reference value.

6 . The surgical instrument of claim 4 , wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an on bit if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to generate an off bit if a sample is above said first reference value, and wherein said microcontroller can be configured to generate a fault condition if a sample is below said second reference value.

7 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said microcontroller is configured to sample said analog data, wherein said microcontroller comprises an output channel, wherein said microcontroller is configured to communicate said digital signal to said output channel, wherein said reference value comprises a first reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to compare said analog data to a second reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to change said digital signal if a sample is below said first reference value or above said second reference value, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to not change said digital signal if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value.

8 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said microcontroller is configured to sample said analog data, wherein said microcontroller comprises an output channel, wherein said microcontroller is configured to communicate said digital signal to said output channel, wherein said reference value comprises a first reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to compare said analog data to a second reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to supply an off bit to said output channel if a sample is less than said first reference value, wherein said microcontroller is configured to supply an on bit to said output channel if a sample is greater than said second reference value, and wherein said microcontroller is configured to not change said digital signal if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value.

9 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said analog sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor, wherein said movable input comprises a magnetic element, and wherein the movement of said magnetic element is detectable by said Hall effect sensor.

10 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said analog sensor is selected from the group consisting of a Hall effect sensor, a magnetoresistive sensor, and an optical sensor.

11 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a shaft assembly attachable to said handle, wherein said shaft assembly comprises a movable jaw, and wherein said movable input comprises a closure trigger configured to move said movable jaw.

12 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said microcontroller is configured to adjust said reference value.

13 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said surgical instrument further comprises a memory device, and wherein said reference value is stored in said memory device.

14 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein said microcontroller is operated by an algorithm, and wherein said reference value is stored in said algorithm.

15 . The surgical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a staple cartridge.

16 . A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:

a movable portion;

an analog sensor configured to detect the position of said movable portion, wherein said analog sensor is configured to produce an analog signal comprising analog data;

a processor comprising an input channel, wherein said analog sensor is in signal communication with said input channel, wherein said processor is configured to compare said analog data to a reference value, and wherein said processor is configured to generate a digital signal in response to said comparison.

17 . The surgical instrument assembly of claim 16 , wherein said microcontroller is configured to sample said analog data, wherein said processor comprises an output channel, wherein said processor is configured to communicate said digital signal to said output channel, wherein said reference value comprises a first reference value, wherein said processor is configured to compare said analog data to a second reference value, wherein said processor is configured to change said digital signal if a sample is below said first reference value or above said second reference value, and wherein said processor is configured to not change said digital signal if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value.

18 . A surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle comprising a trigger, wherein the actuation of said trigger is configured to produce a surgical instrument function, and wherein said trigger comprises a magnetic element;

an analog sensor configured to track the position of said magnetic element, wherein said analog sensor is configured to produce an analog signal comprising analog data;

a controller, wherein said analog sensor is in signal communication with said controller, wherein said controller is configured to compare said analog data to a reference value, and wherein said controller is configured to produce a digital signal in response to said comparison.

19 . The surgical instrument of claim 18 , wherein said controller is configured to sample said analog data, wherein said controller comprises an output channel, wherein said controller is configured to communicate said digital signal to said output channel, wherein said reference value comprises a first reference value, wherein said controller is configured to compare said analog data to a second reference value, wherein said controller is configured to change said digital signal if a sample is below said first reference value or above said second reference value, and wherein said controller is configured to not change said digital signal if a sample is between said first reference value and said second reference value.