Surgical instrument

Abstract

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument has an end effector and a trigger in communication with the end effector. The surgical instrument also has a first sensor and an externally accessible memory device in communication with the first sensor. The first sensor has an output that represents a first condition of either the trigger or the end effector. The memory device is configured to record the output of the first sensor. In various embodiments, memory device may include an output port and/or a removable storage medium.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical tool system, comprising:
 a surgical tool operable to staple tissue, the tool comprising:
 a distal portion including a tissue stapling mechanism; 
 a shaft extending from the distal portion; and 
 a handle; 
   a sensor coupled to the surgical tool;   a control system electrically connected to the sensor, wherein the control system calculates sensor information from signals received from the sensor and processes the sensor information into signal commands; and   a feedback system including a force actuator coupled to the handle and electrically connected to the control system, wherein the control system communicates the signal commands to the feedback system and the feedback system uses the signal commands to generate feedback relating to the sensor information to the handle.   
     
     
         22 . The surgical tool system of  claim 21 , wherein the tissue stapling mechanism is selectively attachable to the shaft. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical tool system of  claim 21 , further comprising a firing member configured to operate the tissue stapling mechanism, wherein the handle further comprises:
 a motor configured to operate the firing member; and   a trigger configured to operate the motor, wherein the force actuator is configured to apply the feedback to the trigger.   
     
     
         24 . The surgical tool system of  claim 21 , further comprising a cutting element on the distal portion of the tool, wherein the sensor comprises a displacement sensor configured to detect the stroke of the cutting element, and wherein the feedback generated by the feedback system informs a user of the position of the cutting element. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical tool system of  claim 24 , wherein the feedback generated by the feedback system informs a user upon the completion of the cutting element stroke. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical tool system of  claim 24 , wherein the cutting member comprises at least a portion of the displacement sensor coupled thereto. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical tool system of  claim 21 , wherein the tissue stapling mechanism comprises a staple cartridge and an anvil, wherein the anvil is configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position to apply pressure to a patient's tissue positioned between the anvil and the staple cartridge, wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor, and wherein the control system is configured to monitor the pressure applied to the tissue as indicated by the pressure sensor. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical tool system of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor is coupled to the distal portion of the tool and is selected from the group consisting of a pressure sensor and a displacement sensor, and wherein the feedback generated by the feedback system informs a user of the condition of the distal portion of the tool. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical tool system of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor is coupled to the distal portion of the tool and is selected from the group consisting of a pressure sensor and a displacement sensor, and wherein the feedback generated by the feedback system informs a user that tissue positioned within the tissue stapling mechanism has been completely incised. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical tool system of  claim 21 , wherein the tissue stapling mechanism comprises a staple cartridge and an anvil, wherein the anvil is configured to be moved between an open position and a closed position to apply pressure to a patient's tissue positioned between the anvil and the staple cartridge, and wherein the feedback generated by the feedback system informs a user that tissue positioned within the tissue stapling mechanism has been completely incised. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical tool system of  claim 21 , wherein the feedback generated by the feedback system informs a user of the surgical tool system that a stapling procedure has been completed. 
     
     
         32 . A method of providing feedback to a user during a tissue stapling procedure, the method comprising the steps of:
 monitoring a distal portion of a surgical tool during a tissue stapling surgical procedure via at least one sensor mounted on the distal portion of the surgical tool;   processing the sensor information; and   communicating tactile feedback to a handle of the surgical tool, wherein the tactile feedback relates to the sensor information.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the steps of:
 monitoring displacement of a cutting element on the distal portion of the surgical tool during the tissue stapling surgical procedure;   processing the displacement information; and   communicating tactile feedback to the handle of the surgical tool, wherein the tactile feedback relates to the displacement information and informs the user of the position of the cutting element.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the tactile feedback generated by the feedback system informs the user upon completion of the stapling procedure. 
     
     
         35 . A surgical tool system, comprising:
 a surgical tool operable to staple tissue, the tool including a distal portion including a tissue stapling mechanism connected to a handle via a shaft;   a sensor coupled to the surgical tool;   a control system electrically connected to the sensor, wherein the control system calculates sensor information from signals received from the sensor and processes the sensor information into signal commands; and   a feedback system including a tactile actuator coupled to the handle and electrically connected to the control system, wherein the control system communicates the signal commands to the feedback system and the feedback system uses the signal commands to generate tactile feedback relating to the sensor information to the handle.   
     
     
         36 . A surgical stapler, comprising:
 a handle;   a sensor;   a control system electrically connected to the sensor, wherein the control system calculates sensor information from signals received from the sensor and processes the sensor information into signal commands; and   a feedback system including a force actuator coupled to the handle and electrically connected to the control system, wherein the control system communicates the signal commands to the feedback system and the feedback system uses the signal commands to generate force feedback relating to the sensor information to the handle.