Patent ID: 7845537
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument comprising: an end effector to engage tissue, the end effector comprising a staple channel and an anvil pivotably translatable relative to the staple channel, wherein at least one of the anvil and the staple channel define a longitudinal channel; a reciprocating knife positioned to slide distally through the longitudinal channel when the anvil is pivoted to a position substantially parallel to the staple channel; a shaft extending proximally from the end effector; a handle coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft; a trigger coupled to the handle, wherein the trigger is in communication with the end effector to actuate the anvil and the reciprocating knife; a first sensor having an output representing a first condition of the trigger; a second sensor having an output representing a position of the anvil; a third sensor having an output representing a position of the reciprocating knife; and an externally accessible memory device in communication with the first, second and third sensors, wherein the memory device is configured to record the output of the first, second and third sensors.