AUTHENTICATION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR REUSABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
An authentication and information system for use in a surgical stapling system includes a microprocessor configured to demultiplex data from a plurality of components in the surgical system. The authentication and information system can include one wire chips and a coupling assembly with a communication connection.
1 . A method of communicating data through a bus, the method comprising:
providing a microprocessor capable of demultiplexing transmit and receive lines;
providing a first microchip and a second microchip in a surgical system, each of the first and second microchips configured to provide authentication of a first component and a second component in the surgical system, each of the first and second microchips being communicatively-coupled through a bus to the microprocessor; and
controlling a receive mode and a transmit mode over the bus.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving at least one signal from the first microchip or the second microchip using the receive mode over the bus.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein receiving at least one signal includes selecting the receive mode utilizing the microprocessor.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
transmitting at least one signal to the first microchip or the second microchip using the transmit mode over the bus.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein transmitting at least one signal includes selecting the transmit mode utilizing the microprocessor.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a third microchip connected to the microprocessor, the third microchip having a data wire and a ground wire.
7 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising receiving at least one signal from the first microship or the second microchip, including turning on the ground wire of the first microchip or second microchip.
8 . The method of claim 6 , further comprising transmitting at least one signal from the first microchip or the second microchip, including turning off the ground wire of the first microchip or second microchip.
9 . A method of communicating data through a bus, the method comprising:
authenticating a surgical component utilizing a microchip communicatively-coupled through a bus to a microprocessor capable of demultiplexing transmit and receive lines; and
controlling a receive mode and a transmit mode over the bus.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein authenticating includes utilizing the microchip.
11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein authenticating further includes utilizing a one-wire data interface of the microchip.
12 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
receiving at least one signal from the surgical component using the receive mode over the bus.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein receiving at least one signal from the surgical component using the receive mode over the bus includes turning on the ground wire of the microchip.
14 . The method of claim 13 , further including utilizing the microprocessor to select the receive mode.
15 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
transmitting at least one signal to the microprocessor using the transmit mode over the bus.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein transmitting at least one signal to the microprocessor using the transmit mode over the bus includes turning off the ground wire of the microchip.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein transmitting at least one signal to the microprocessor using the transmit mode over the bus further includes utilizing the microprocessor to select the transmit mode.
18 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the surgical component has a second microchip.
19 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the microprocessor is part of a controller for a surgical system, the surgical component being a part of the surgical system.
20 . A surgical system, comprising:
a handle assembly having a controller, the controller having at least one program;
an adapter assembly; and
a loading unit having a tool assembly and at least one chip assembly having a chip storing data indicating whether the tool assembly articulates or not, the controller including a microprocessor configured for de-multiplexing data from said chip.
21 . The surgical system according to claim 20 , wherein the controller reads the data and does not drive an articulation link in the adapter assembly and/or loading unit if the data indicated that the loading unit does not articulate.
22 . A surgical system, comprising:
a handle assembly having a controller, the controller having at least one program;
an adapter assembly; and
a loading unit having a tool assembly and at least one chip assembly having a chip storing data indicating the maximum drive force for the loading unit, the controller including a microprocessor configured for de-multiplexing data from said chip.
23 . The surgical system according to claim 22 , wherein the controller is programmed to read the data, and also read a drive force from a sensor, wherein the controller does not drive a member in the adapter assembly and/or loading unit if the drive force indicates that the maximum drive force has been reached.
24 . The surgical system according to claim 21 , wherein the controller is programmed to read the data, and also read a drive force from a sensor, wherein the controller operates in slow mode if the drive force indicates that the maximum drive force has been reached.
25 . The surgical system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chip also stores information about the type of loading unit.
26 . The surgical system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the loading unit includes a removable and replaceable staple cartridge assembly.
27 . The surgical system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the removable and replaceable staple cartridge assembly includes a chip storing data concerning the staple cartridge assembly.