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 instrument, comprising:
 an end effector comprising a moveable firing member;   a drive shaft connected to the end effector;   a drive train operably coupled with the firing member;   a motor for actuating the drive train; and   a handle, wherein the handle comprises a firing trigger for actuating the motor, wherein the firing trigger is operably connected to the drive train such that the loading force on the firing trigger is related to the loading force experienced by the firing member in the end effector.   
     
     
         22 . The surgical instrument of Claim  21 , further comprising a staple cartridge positioned within the end effector, wherein the staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staples removably stored therein, and wherein the firing member is configured to eject the staples from the staple cartridge. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical instrument of Claim  22 , wherein the staple cartridge comprises a plurality of staple cavities positioned along a path, wherein a said staple is positioned in each staple cavity, and wherein the firing member is configured to deploy the staples sequentially. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical instrument of Claim  21 , further comprising a battery operably couplable with the motor for powering the motor. 
     
     
         25 . The surgical instrument of Claim  21 , further comprising a closure trigger, separate from the firing trigger, which is actuatable to cause the end effector to clamp an object positioned in the end effector. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical instrument of Claim  21 , further comprising a run motor sensor for sensing the actuation of the firing trigger, wherein, when the actuation of the firing trigger is sensed by the run motor sensor, the motor is signaled to forward rotate to cause cutting of an object positioned in the end effector by the firing member. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical instrument of Claim  26 , wherein the run motor sensor comprises a proportional switch, and wherein the rate of rotation of the motor is proportional to the retraction force applied to the firing trigger. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical instrument of Claim  26 , wherein the run motor sensor comprises an on/off switch. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical instrument of Claim  21 , wherein the motor and the firing trigger are meshingly engaged with the drive train. 
     
     
         30 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a shaft connectable to an end effector, wherein the shaft includes a drive member for at least one of firing fasteners from a fastener cartridge positioned in the end effector or cutting an object captured within the end effector;   a drive train operably engaged with drive member;   a motor for actuating the drive member via the drive train; and   a handle connected to the shaft, wherein the handle comprises:
 a firing trigger for actuating the motor; and 
 means for applying a loading force to the firing trigger such that the loading force on the firing trigger is related to the loading force experienced by the drive member. 
   
     
     
         31 . The surgical instrument of Claim  30 , further comprising the fastener cartridge, wherein the fastener cartridge comprises a plurality of fasteners removably stored therein, and wherein the drive member is configured to eject the fasteners from the fastener cartridge. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical instrument of Claim  31 , wherein the fastener cartridge comprises a plurality of fastener cavities positioned along a path, wherein a said fastener is positioned in each fastener cavity, and wherein the drive member is configured to deploy the fasteners sequentially. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical instrument of Claim  30 , further comprising a battery operably couplable with the motor for powering the motor. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical instrument of Claim  30 , further comprising a closure trigger, separate from the firing trigger, which is actuatable to cause the end effector to clamp the object positioned in the end effector. 
     
     
         35 . The surgical instrument of Claim  30 , further comprising a run motor sensor for sensing the actuation of the firing trigger, wherein, when the actuation of the firing trigger is sensed by the run motor sensor, the motor is signaled to forward rotate to cause cutting of the object positioned in the end effector by the drive member. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical instrument of Claim  35 , wherein the run motor sensor comprises a proportional switch, and wherein the rate of rotation of the motor is proportional to the actuation force applied to the firing trigger. 
     
     
         37 . The surgical instrument of Claim  35 , wherein the run motor sensor comprises an on/off switch. 
     
     
         38 . The surgical instrument of Claim  30 , wherein the motor and the firing trigger are meshingly engaged with the drive train. 
     
     
         39 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a shaft connectable to an end effector, wherein the shaft includes a drive member for at least one of firing fasteners from a fastener cartridge positioned in the end effector or cutting an object captured within the end effector;   a motor for actuating the drive member; and   a handle, wherein the handle comprises:
 a firing trigger for actuating the motor; and 
 means for applying a loading force to the firing trigger which is determined by the loading force experienced by the drive member. 
   
     
     
         40 . The surgical instrument of Claim  39 , further comprising the fastener cartridge.