Patent ID: 8167185
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
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 longitudinal shaft extending proximally from the end effector; a first sensor having an output representing a first condition of at least one component selected from the group consisting of the anvil, the staple channel and the knife; and an externally accessible memory device in communication with the first sensor via a first data connection, wherein the memory device is configured to record the output of the first sensor; and wherein the memory device comprises a wireless output port to wirelessly communicate data received from the first sensor to an outside device.