Surgical instrument including a control system
A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, a firing member, an elongate shaft, and a handle is disclosed. The end effector comprises an anvil, a channel, and a staple cartridge. The firing member comprises a first camming member configured to engage the anvil during a staple firing stroke, a second camming member configured to engage the channel during the staple firing stroke, and a cutting member. The handle comprises a motor configured to output a rotary motion, a power source, a control system configured to control the speed of the rotary motion, a rotary drive member, and a control system. The firing member is operably responsive to the rotation of the rotary drive member. Torque is output from the motor to the rotary drive member. The control system is configured to limit the output from the motor to the rotary drive member.
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
an anvil;
a channel; and
a staple cartridge positioned in said channel;
a firing member configured to move within said end effector during a staple firing stroke, wherein said firing member comprises:
a first camming member configured to engage said anvil during said staple firing stroke;
a second camming member configured to engage said channel during said staple firing stroke; and
a cutting member configured to cut patient tissue during said staple firing stroke;
an elongate shaft, wherein said end effector extends from said elongate shaft; and
a handle, wherein said elongate shaft extends from said handle, and wherein said handle comprises:
an electric motor configured to output a rotary motion;
a power source configured to supply power to said electric motor;
a control system configured to control the speed of said rotary motion;
a rotary drive member, wherein said firing member is operably responsive to the rotation of said rotary drive member; and
a control system, wherein torque is output from said electric motor to said rotary drive member when said firing member is under a first loading condition, wherein said control system is configured to limit the output from said motor to said rotary drive member when said firing member is under a second loading condition, and wherein said second loading condition is greater than said first loading condition.
2. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
an anvil;
a channel; and
a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples;
an I-beam configured to move distally within said end effector during an actuation stroke, wherein said I-beam comprises:
an upper lateral extension configured to engage said anvil during said actuation stroke;
a lower lateral extension configured to engage said channel during said actuation stroke; and
a cutting member configured to cut patient tissue during said actuation stroke;
an elongate shaft, wherein said end effector extends from said elongate shaft; and
a handle, wherein said elongate shaft extends from said handle, and wherein said handle comprises:
a rotary drive member, wherein said I-beam is operably responsive to said rotary drive member;
a motor configured to output rotary motion and force to said rotary drive member;
a power source configured to supply power to said motor;
a control system configured to control the speed of said rotary motion; and
means for limiting the force supplied by said motor to said I-beam.
3. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
a first jaw; and
a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;
a firing member configured to move through said end effector during a firing stroke in response to an actuation force, wherein said firing member comprises:
a first camming member configured to engage said first jaw during said firing stroke;
a second camming member configured to engage said second jaw during said firing stroke; and
a cutting member configured to cut patient tissue during said firing stroke;
an elongate shaft, wherein said end effector extends from said elongate shaft; and
a handle, wherein said elongate shaft extends from said handle, and wherein said handle comprises:
a rotary drive member, wherein said firing member is operably responsive to said rotary drive member;
a motor configured to output a rotary motion, wherein said motor is further configured to supply torque to said rotary drive member;
a power source configured to supply power to said motor; and
a control system configured to control the speed of said rotary motion and limit the supply of torque from said motor to said rotary drive member such that the actuation force applied to said firing member during said firing stroke is limited.
4. The surgical instrument of claim 3 , further comprising a staple cartridge.
5. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
a proximal end;
a distal end;
a first jaw;
a second jaw; and
a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples;
an I-beam configured to move distally within said end effector during an actuation stroke, wherein said I-beam comprises:
a first lateral extension configured to engage said first jaw during said actuation stroke;
a second lateral extension configured to engage said second jaw during said actuation stroke; and
a cutting member configured to cut patient tissue during said actuation stroke;
an elongate shaft, wherein said end effector extends from said elongate shaft; and
a housing assembly, wherein said elongate shaft extends from said housing assembly, and wherein said housing assembly comprises:
a rotary drive member, wherein said I-beam is operably responsive to said rotary drive member;
a motor configured to output rotary motion and force to said rotary drive member;
a control system configured to control the speed of said rotary motion; and means for limiting the force supplied by said motor to said I-beam.
6. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an end effector, comprising:
a first jaw; and
a second jaw movable relative to said first jaw between an open position and a closed position;
a firing member configured to move through said end effector during a firing stroke in response to an actuation force, wherein said firing member comprises:
a first camming member configured to engage said first jaw during said firing stroke;
a second camming member configured to engage said second jaw during said firing stroke; and
a cutting member configured to cut patient tissue during said firing stroke;
an elongate shaft, wherein said end effector extends from said elongate shaft; and
a housing assembly, wherein said elongate shaft extends from said housing assembly, and wherein said housing assembly comprises:
a rotary drive member, wherein said firing member is operably responsive to said rotary drive member;
a motor configured to output a rotary motion, wherein said motor is further configured to supply torque to said rotary drive member;
a power input configured to transmit power to said motor; and
a control system configured to control the speed of said rotary motion and limit the torque to said rotary drive member from said motor such that the actuation force applied to said firing member during said firing stroke is limited.