Surgical instrument having a feedback system

Abstract

A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument comprises a plurality of sensors, and a status module releasably connected to the surgical instrument. The status module comprises a plurality of contacts, a circuit, and a plurality of indicators. Each individual contact is in electrical communication with a different sensor. The circuit is in electrical communication with at least one of the contacts. At least one of the indicators is in electrical communication with the circuit.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical system, comprising:
 a surgical stapler; and   a display to concurrently display:
 a first status associated with a first surgical function of the surgical stapler; and 
 a second status associated with a second surgical function of the surgical stapler, wherein the second surgical function is different than the first surgical function. 
   
     
     
         22 . The surgical system of  claim 21 , wherein the display comprises an electronic visual display, and wherein the surgical system further comprises a speaker to indicate a third status associated with a third surgical function of the surgical stapler. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical system of  claim 22 , wherein the surgical stapler further comprising:
 a first jaw;   a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is rotatable between an open position and a closed position to compress tissue therebetween; and   a firing driver movable longitudinally through at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw during a staple firing stroke;   wherein the first status is indicative of a firing progress of the firing driver through the staple firing stroke, and wherein the second status is indicative of a compression wait time for tissue compressed between the first jaw and the second jaw.   
     
     
         24 . A surgical system, comprising:
 a surgical stapler; and   a digital indicator communicatively coupled to the surgical stapler, the digital indicator to concurrently indicate:
 a first status associated with a first surgical function of the surgical stapler; and 
 a second status associated with a second surgical function of the surgical stapler, wherein the second surgical function is different than the first surgical function. 
   
     
     
         25 . The surgical system of  claim 24 , wherein the surgical stapler further comprises a firing driver movable longitudinally during a staple firing stroke, and wherein the first status is indicative of a firing progress of the firing driver through the staple firing stroke. 
     
     
         26 . The surgical system of  claim 25 , wherein the surgical stapler further comprises a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein at least one of the first jaw and the second jaw is rotatable between an open position and a closed position to compress tissue therebetween, and wherein the second status is indicative of a compression wait time for tissue compressed between the first jaw and the second jaw. 
     
     
         27 . The surgical system of  claim 24 , further comprising an audio output device to concurrently indicate a third status associated with a third surgical function of the surgical stapler. 
     
     
         28 . The surgical system of  claim 27 , wherein the audio output device comprises a speaker. 
     
     
         29 . The surgical system of  claim 24 , further comprising a housing for releasably connecting the digital indicator to the surgical stapler. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical system of  claim 29 , wherein the housing further comprising a wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         31 . The surgical system of  claim 24 , wherein the digital indicator comprises a digital display. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical system of  claim 31 , wherein the digital display comprises a light emitting diode. 
     
     
         33 . A status indicator for a surgical stapler, the status indicator comprising:
 an electronic visual display to concurrently display:
 a first status associated with a first surgical function of the surgical stapler; and 
 a second status associated with a second surgical function of the surgical stapler, wherein the second surgical function is different than the first surgical function. 
   
     
     
         34 . The status indicator of  claim 33 , wherein the first status is indicative of a compression wait time of the surgical stapler. 
     
     
         35 . The status indicator of  claim 34 , wherein the second status is indicative of a firing progress of the surgical stapler. 
     
     
         36 . The status indicator of  claim 33 , further comprising an audio output device. 
     
     
         37 . The status indicator of  claim 36 , wherein the audio output device is to indicate a third status associated with a third surgical function, and wherein the third surgical function is different than the first surgical function and the second surgical function. 
     
     
         38 . The status indicator of  claim 33 , further comprising a housing for releasably connecting the electronic visual display to the surgical stapler. 
     
     
         39 . The status indicator of  claim 33 , wherein the electronic visual display comprises a liquid crystal display. 
     
     
         40 . The status indicator of  claim 33 , wherein the electronic visual display comprises a LED.