SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH WIRELESS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CONTROL UNIT AND REMOTE SENSOR
A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise an end effector comprising at least one sensor. The surgical instrument may also comprise an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft. The surgical instrument may also comprise a handle connected to a proximate end of the shaft. The handle may comprise a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft radiates signals as an antenna from the control unit to the sensor and receives radiated signals from the sensor. Other components electrically coupled to the shaft may also radiate the signals.
1 - 21 . (canceled)
22 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a shaft;
an end effector extending from the shaft, wherein the end effector includes a staple cartridge, and wherein the staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples removably stored therein;
a firing member movable between a first position and a second position to deploy the plurality of staples into tissue;
a circuit configured to transmit a voltage signal;
a processor; and
a memory that stores program instructions, which when executed from the memory cause the processor to:
assess an identifier of the staple cartridge; and
modulate the voltage signal in accordance with the identifier of the staple cartridge; and
a motor configured to motivate the firing member in response to the voltage signal.
23 . The surgical instrument of claim 22 , wherein the identifier comprises an identification number.
24 . The surgical instrument of claim 23 , wherein the identification number is stored in the memory.
25 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a shaft;
an end effector extending from the shaft, wherein the end effector includes a staple cartridge, and wherein the staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples removably stored therein;
a firing member movable to deploy the plurality of staples into tissue;
a motor operably coupled to the firing member;
a circuit configured to:
assess an identifier of the staple cartridge;
selectively modulate a voltage signal in accordance with the identifier of the staple cartridge; and
cause the motor to motivate the firing member in response to the voltage signal.
26 . The surgical instrument of claim 25 , wherein the identifier comprises an identification number.
27 . The surgical instrument of claim 26 , wherein the identification number is stored in the memory.
28 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a staple cartridge, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples removably stored therein;
a firing member movable to deploy the plurality of staples into tissue;
a storage medium comprising an identifier of the staple cartridge;
a circuit configured to transmit a voltage signal;
a processor configured to:
access the storage medium;
detect the identifier of the staple cartridge; and
selectively modulate the voltage signal in accordance with the identifier of the staple cartridge; and
a motor configured to motivate the firing member in response to the voltage signal.