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 distally from the shaft, the end effector comprising:
an anvil;
a staple cartridge, wherein the anvil and the staple cartridge are configured to cooperate to capture tissue therebetween, and wherein the staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cartridge; and
a firing member movable to deploy the plurality of staples into the tissue; and
a housing extending proximally from the shaft, wherein the housing comprises:
a motor configured to generate at least one rotational motion to motivate the firing member to deploy the plurality of staples; and
a motion controller configured to modulate a motor power input, wherein the motion controller is configured to control movement of the firing member by modulating a rate of rotation of the motor through the modulation of the motor power input.
23 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a shaft;
an end effector extending distally from the shaft, the end effector comprising:
an anvil;
a staple cartridge, wherein the anvil and the staple cartridge are configured to cooperate to capture tissue therebetween, and wherein the staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cartridge; and
a firing member movable to deploy the plurality of staples into the tissue; and
a housing extending proximally from the shaft, wherein the housing comprises:
a motor configured to generate at least one rotational motion to motivate the firing member to deploy the plurality of staples; and
a circuit configured to control movement of the firing member by generating a variable voltage output that modulates a rate of rotation of the motor.
24 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
a shaft;
an end effector extending distally from the shaft, the end effector comprising:
an anvil;
a staple cartridge, wherein the anvil and the staple cartridge are configured to cooperate to capture tissue therebetween, and wherein the staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples removably stored in the staple cartridge; and
a firing member movable to deploy the plurality of staples into the tissue; and
a housing extending proximally from the shaft, wherein the housing comprises:
a circuit configured to generate a motor drive signal; and
a motor operably coupled to the circuit, wherein the motor is configured to motivate the firing member to deploy the plurality of staples in response to the motor drive signal, and wherein the circuit is configured to modulate a motion characteristic of the firing member by modulating the motor drive signal.