Patent Publication Number: US-10321907-B2

Title: System for monitoring whether a surgical instrument needs to be serviced

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to surgical instruments and, in various embodiments, to surgical stapling and cutting instruments and staple cartridges for use therewith. 
     A stapling instrument can include a pair of cooperating elongate jaw members, wherein each jaw member can be adapted to be inserted into a patient and positioned relative to tissue that is to be stapled and/or incised. In various embodiments, one of the jaw members can support a staple cartridge with at least two laterally spaced rows of staples contained therein, and the other jaw member can support an anvil with staple-forming pockets aligned with the rows of staples in the staple cartridge. Generally, the stapling instrument can further include a pusher bar and a knife blade which are slidable relative to the jaw members to sequentially eject the staples from the staple cartridge via camming surfaces on the pusher bar and/or camming surfaces on a wedge sled that is pushed by the pusher bar. In at least one embodiment, the camming surfaces can be configured to activate a plurality of staple drivers carried by the cartridge and associated with the staples in order to push the staples against the anvil and form laterally spaced rows of deformed staples in the tissue gripped between the jaw members. In at least one embodiment, the knife blade can trail the camming surfaces and cut the tissue along a line between the staple rows. Examples of such stapling instruments are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,794,475, entitled SURGICAL STAPLES HAVING COMPRESSIBLE OR CRUSHABLE MEMBERS FOR SECURING TISSUE THEREIN AND STAPLING INSTRUMENTS FOR DEPLOYING THE SAME, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate various aspects of the related art in the field of the invention at the time, and should not be taken as a disavowal of claim scope. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various features of the embodiments described herein, together with advantages thereof, may be understood in accordance with the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a modular surgical system including a motor-driven handle module and three interchangeable detachable shaft modules; 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the handle module of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the handle housing removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial exploded assembly view of the handle module of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is another partial exploded assembly view of the handle module of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the handle module of  FIG. 1  with a portion of the handle housing removed; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded assembly view of a mechanical coupling system for operably coupling the rotary drive systems of the handle module of  FIG. 1  to the drive systems of a detachable shaft module; 
         FIG. 7  is block diagram depicting electrical components of the handle module of  FIG. 1  and the detachable shaft module; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of a process flow executed by a handle processor of the handle module of  FIG. 1  to determine when the handle module reaches its end of life; 
         FIG. 9  is another diagram of a process flow executed by the handle processor of the handle module of  FIG. 1  to determine when the handle module reaches its end of life; 
         FIG. 10A  is a chart showing differences between the expected firing and retraction forces to be applied by the handle module of  FIG. 1  and the actual firing and retraction forces applied by the handle module as a function of the stroke of the shaft module; 
         FIG. 10B  is a diagram of a process flow executed by the handle processor of the handle module of  FIG. 1  to determine when the handle module reaches its end of life based on the differences between the expected firing and retraction forces to be applied by the handle module of  FIG. 1  and the actual firing and retraction forces applied by the handle module; 
         FIG. 10C  is a diagram of a process flow executed by the handle processor of the handle module of  FIG. 1  to determine when the handle module reaches its end of life based on the energy expended by the handle module during use, in aggregate, and the energy expended by the handle module during each use; 
         FIG. 10D  is a chart showing an example of the energy expended by the handle module over a number of device activations, in aggregate; 
         FIG. 10E  is a chart showing an example of the power expended during each activation of the handle module of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a sterilization tray in which a handle module may be inserted for sterilization; 
         FIGS. 11C and 11D  illustrate a sterilization tray in which a handle module and a detachable shaft module may be inserted for sterilization; 
         FIG. 11E  illustrates another sterilization tray in which a handle module may be inserted for sterilization; 
         FIGS. 11F, 11G, 11H, and 11I  illustrate aspects of the sterilization tray of  FIG. 11E  interfacing with a handle module; 
         FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12E  illustrate an inspection station for inspecting a handle module before, during, and/or following a surgical procedure; 
         FIG. 12C  is a block diagram of the inspection station and the handle module; 
         FIG. 12D  is a diagram of a process flow executed by the handle processor of the handle module to determine when the handle module reaches its end of life based on a number of times the handle module is placed on the inspection station; 
         FIG. 13A  is a block diagram illustrating aspects of a handle module and a removable battery pack, where the battery pack includes an identification emitter so that the handle module can identify the battery pack; 
         FIG. 13B  illustrates a process flow executed by the handle processor of the handle module of  FIG. 13A  to determine when the handle module reaches its end of life based on a number of times a battery pack has been installed in the handle module; 
         FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C  illustrate aspects of a handle module that detects the attachment of a detachable shaft module thereto; 
         FIG. 14D  illustrates a handle module and a detachable shaft module, where the handle module detects attachment of the detachable shaft module thereto; 
         FIG. 14E  illustrates the handle module of  FIG. 14D , where the handle module also detects attachment of a removable battery pack; 
         FIGS. 14F and 14G  illustrate a sensor for the handle module of  FIG. 14D  to detect the insertion of a removable battery pack therein; 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  illustrate another sensor for the handle module to detect the insertion of a removable battery pack therein; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a handle module with multiple power packs; 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  illustrate additional process flows executed by the handle processor of a handle module to determine when the handle module reaches its end of life; 
         FIGS. 18A, 18B and 18C  illustrate a handle module that with a mechanism that prevents the insertion of a battery pack in certain circumstances; 
         FIGS. 18D and 18E  illustrate a mechanism of the handle module of  FIG. 18A  that prevents removal of the battery pack from the handle module in certain circumstances; 
         FIGS. 19A, 19B and 19C  illustrate a charging station and a handle module, where the charging station is for charging a battery pack of the handle module; 
         FIGS. 20A and 20B  illustrate a handle module with sterilization covers for covering components of the handle module during the sterilization thereof; 
         FIG. 20C  illustrates a sterilization cover for a battery cavity of the handle module of  FIG. 20A ; 
         FIG. 20D  illustrates a removable battery pack for the handle module of  FIG. 20A ; 
         FIGS. 21A, 21B, 21C and 21D  illustrate display configurations for a surgical instrument comprising a handle module and a detachable shaft module; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a removable battery pack with an internal circuit board; 
         FIG. 23A  illustrates a handle module with a projecting device that, when projected, prevents insertion of the handle module into a sterilization tray; 
         FIG. 23B  illustrates the handle module of  FIG. 23A  and a sterilization tray; 
         FIGS. 24A and 24B  illustrate a handle module inspection station for applying vacuum pressure to a handle module; 
         FIGS. 25A, 25B, 25C and 25D  illustrate a handle module inspection station with one or more fans for drying the handle module; 
         FIG. 25E  illustrates an inspection station with a vacuum port to dry a handle module; 
         FIGS. 26A, 26B and 26C  illustrate an inspection station, a handle module, and a load simulation adapter for applying a simulated load to the handle module when the handle module is connected to the inspection station; 
         FIG. 26D  is a cross-sectional view of the load simulation adapter of  FIGS. 26A-26C ; 
         FIG. 26E  is a chart illustrating a sample model of gear backlash for a handle module as a function of use; 
         FIGS. 27A and 27B  illustrate an inspection station that can accommodate both a handle module and a detachable shaft module; 
         FIG. 28A  illustrates a process flow executed by an inspection station processor to make service recommendations for a handle module; 
         FIG. 28B  illustrates a process flow executed by a handle module processor to make service recommendations for a handle module; 
         FIG. 29A  illustrates a charging station for charging one or more removable battery packs that can be used in a handle module; 
         FIGS. 29B and 29C  illustrate a mechanism of the charging station for securing a battery pack to the charging station; 
         FIG. 29D  is a block diagram of the charging station and a battery pack; 
         FIG. 29E  illustrates a process flow executed by a handle module charging station; 
         FIGS. 30A and 30B  illustrate process flows executed by a handle module charging station; 
         FIGS. 31 and 32  are electrical schematic diagrams of a charging station; 
         FIG. 33A  is a top view of a battery pack; 
         FIG. 33B  is a top view of a charging station showing its contact configuration for the battery pack of  FIG. 33A ; 
         FIG. 34A  is a top view of a battery pack; 
         FIG. 34B  is a top view of a charging station showing its contact configuration for the battery pack of  FIG. 34A ; 
         FIG. 35  is a flow chart of a process using an inspection station; 
         FIGS. 36 and 37  are process flow charts illustrating exemplary steps for sterilizing a handle module and tracking the number of times it is sterilized; 
         FIG. 38  is a perspective view of a battery assembly for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the battery assembly comprises a plurality of shock absorbing elements, according to at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 38A  is a detail cross-sectional view of one of the shock absorbing elements of the battery assembly of  FIG. 38 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a partial cross-sectional view of the battery assembly of  FIG. 38 ; 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective view of a battery assembly for use with a surgical instrument comprising a battery housing configured to protect one or more battery cells of the battery assembly; 
         FIG. 40A  is a detail cross-sectional view of the battery assembly of  FIG. 40 ; 
         FIG. 41  illustrates a handle of a surgical instrument system including a power adapter extending from the handle to a power source in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 42  illustrates the handle of  FIG. 41  which is selectively usable with the power adapter of  FIG. 41  or a power adapter system including a removable battery and a detachable power cord in accordance with at least one embodiment 
         FIG. 43  is a schematic representation of a power adapter in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 44  is a schematic representation of a power adapter in accordance with at least one embodiment; 
         FIG. 45  is a perspective view of a handle of a surgical instrument system including a battery; 
         FIG. 46  is a perspective view of a second battery attached to the handle of  FIG. 45 ; and 
         FIG. 47  is a cross-sectional view of the handle and the battery of  FIG. 45  and the second battery of  FIG. 46 . 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate various embodiments of the invention, in one form, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Feb. 27, 2015, and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,562, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO TRACK AN END-OF-LIFE PARAMETER; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,576, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INSPECTION STATION; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,546, entitled SURGICAL APPARATUS CONFIGURED TO ASSESS WHETHER A PERFORMANCE PARAMETER OF THE SURGICAL APPARATUS IS WITHIN AN ACCEPTABLE PERFORMANCE BAND; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,560, entitled SURGICAL CHARGING SYSTEM THAT CHARGES AND/OR CONDITIONS ONE OR MORE BATTERIES; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,566, entitled CHARGING SYSTEM THAT ENABLES EMERGENCY RESOLUTIONS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,542, entitled REINFORCED BATTERY FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,548, entitled POWER ADAPTER FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,526, entitled ADAPTABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,541, entitled MODULAR STAPLING ASSEMBLY; 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Dec. 18, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,478, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS COMPRISING AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR AND MEANS FOR ADJUSTING THE FIRING STROKE OF A FIRING; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,483, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING LOCKABLE SYSTEMS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,139, entitled DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,148, entitled LOCKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES WITH ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL END EFFECTORS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,130, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH AN ANVIL THAT IS SELECTIVELY MOVABLE ABOUT A DISCRETE NON-MOVABLE AXIS RELATIVE TO A STAPLE CARTRIDGE; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,143, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH IMPROVED CLOSURE ARRANGEMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,117, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND MOVABLE FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/575,154, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTORS AND IMPROVED FIRING BEAM SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,493, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/574,500, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ASSEMBLY COMPRISING A LOCKABLE ARTICULATION SYSTEM. 
     Applicant of the present application owns the following patent applications that were filed on Mar. 1, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,295, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH CONDUCTIVE PATHWAYS FOR SIGNAL COMMUNICATION, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246471; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,323, entitled ROTARY POWERED ARTICULATION JOINTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246472; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,338, entitled THUMBWHEEL SWITCH ARRANGEMENTS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0249557; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,499, entitled ELECTROMECHANICAL SURGICAL DEVICE WITH SIGNAL RELAY ARRANGEMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246474; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,460, entitled MULTIPLE PROCESSOR MOTOR CONTROL FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246478; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,358, entitled JOYSTICK SWITCH ASSEMBLIES FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246477; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,481, entitled SENSOR STRAIGHTENED END EFFECTOR DURING REMOVAL THROUGH TROCAR, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246479; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,518, entitled CONTROL METHODS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH REMOVABLE IMPLEMENT PORTIONS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246475; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,375, entitled ROTARY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MULTIPLE DEGREES OF FREEDOM, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246473; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/782,536, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SOFT STOP, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0246476. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,097, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263542; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,193, entitled CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR A DRIVE MEMBER OF A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263537; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,053, entitled INTERCHANGEABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES FOR USE WITH A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263564; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,086, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING AN ARTICULATION LOCK, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263541; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,210, entitled SENSOR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ABSOLUTE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263538; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,148, entitled MULTI-FUNCTION MOTOR FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263554; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,066, entitled DRIVE SYSTEM LOCKOUT ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263565; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,117, entitled ARTICULATION CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263553; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,130, entitled DRIVE TRAIN CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263543; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,159, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0277017. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent application that was filed on Mar. 7, 2014 and is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/200,111, entitled CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263539. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Mar. 26, 2014 and are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,106, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,099, entitled STERILIZATION VERIFICATION CIRCUIT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,094, entitled VERIFICATION OF NUMBER OF BATTERY EXCHANGES/PROCEDURE COUNT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,117, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SLEEP OPTIONS OF SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND WAKE UP CONTROL; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,075, entitled MODULAR POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH DETACHABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLIES; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,093, entitled FEEDBACK ALGORITHMS FOR MANUAL BAILOUT SYSTEMS FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,116, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT UTILIZING SENSOR ADAPTATION; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,071, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROL CIRCUIT HAVING A SAFETY PROCESSOR; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,097, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING INTERACTIVE SYSTEMS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,126, entitled INTERFACE SYSTEMS FOR USE WITH SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,133, entitled MODULAR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SYSTEM; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,081, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING A SEGMENTED CIRCUIT; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,076, entitled POWER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SEGMENTED CIRCUIT AND VARIABLE VOLTAGE PROTECTION; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,111, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT SYSTEM; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/226,125, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Sep. 5, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,103, entitled CIRCUITRY AND SENSORS FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,119, entitled ADJUNCT WITH INTEGRATED SENSORS TO QUANTIFY TISSUE COMPRESSION; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,908, entitled MONITORING DEVICE DEGRADATION BASED ON COMPONENT EVALUATION; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/478,895, entitled MULTIPLE SENSORS WITH ONE SENSOR AFFECTING A SECOND SENSOR&#39;S OUTPUT OR INTERPRETATION; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,110, entitled USE OF POLARITY OF HALL MAGNET DETECTION TO DETECT MISLOADED CARTRIDGE; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,098, entitled SMART CARTRIDGE WAKE UP OPERATION AND DATA RETENTION; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,115, entitled MULTIPLE MOTOR CONTROL FOR POWERED MEDICAL DEVICE; and 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/479,108, entitled LOCAL DISPLAY OF TISSUE PARAMETER STABILIZATION. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Apr. 9, 2014 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,590, entitled MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305987; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,581, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CLOSING DRIVE AND A FIRING DRIVE OPERATED FROM THE SAME ROTATABLE OUTPUT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305989; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,595, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT SHAFT INCLUDING SWITCHES FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF THE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305988; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,588, entitled POWERED LINEAR SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0309666; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,591, entitled TRANSMISSION ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305991; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,584, entitled MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ALIGNMENT FEATURES FOR ALIGNING ROTARY DRIVE SHAFTS WITH SURGICAL END EFFECTOR SHAFTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305994; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,587, entitled POWERED SURGICAL STAPLER, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0309665; 
     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,586, entitled DRIVE SYSTEM DECOUPLING ARRANGEMENT FOR A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305990; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,607, entitled MODULAR MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH STATUS INDICATION ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0305992. 
     Applicant of the present application also owns the following patent applications that were filed on Apr. 16, 2013 and which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties: 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,365, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR; 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,376, entitled LINEAR CUTTER WITH POWER; 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,382, entitled LINEAR CUTTER WITH MOTOR AND PISTOL GRIP; 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,385, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HANDLE WITH MULTIPLE ACTUATION MOTORS AND MOTOR CONTROL; and 
     U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/812,372, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY A SINGLE MOTOR. 
     Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. The reader will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and illustrative. Variations and changes thereto may be made without departing from the scope of the claims. 
     The terms “comprise” (and any form of comprise, such as “comprises” and “comprising”), “have” (and any form of have, such as “has” and “having”), “include” (and any form of include, such as “includes” and “including”) and “contain” (and any form of contain, such as “contains” and “containing”) are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, a surgical system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more elements. Likewise, an element of a system, device, or apparatus that “comprises,” “has,” “includes” or “contains” one or more features possesses those one or more features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more features. 
     The terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician manipulating the handle portion of the surgical instrument. The term “proximal” referring to the portion closest to the clinician and the term “distal” referring to the portion located away from the clinician. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, and “down” may be used herein with respect to the drawings. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and/or absolute. 
     Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for performing laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgical procedures. However, the reader will readily appreciate that the various methods and devices disclosed herein can be used in numerous surgical procedures and applications including, for example, in connection with open surgical procedures. As the present Detailed Description proceeds, the reader will further appreciate that the various instruments disclosed herein can be inserted into a body in any way, such as through a natural orifice, through an incision or puncture hole formed in tissue, etc. The working portions or end effector portions of the instruments can be inserted directly into a patient&#39;s body or can be inserted through an access device that has a working channel through which the end effector and elongated shaft of a surgical instrument can be advanced. 
     A surgical stapling system can comprise a shaft and an end effector extending from the shaft. The end effector comprises a first jaw and a second jaw. The first jaw comprises a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge is insertable into and removable from the first jaw; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which a staple cartridge is not removable from, or at least readily replaceable from, the first jaw. The second jaw comprises an anvil configured to deform staples ejected from the staple cartridge. The second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw about a closure axis; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which first jaw is pivotable relative to the second jaw. The surgical stapling system further comprises an articulation joint configured to permit the end effector to be rotated, or articulated, relative to the shaft. The end effector is rotatable about an articulation axis extending through the articulation joint. Other embodiments are envisioned which do not include an articulation joint. 
     The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body. The cartridge body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a deck extending between the proximal end and the distal end. In use, the staple cartridge is positioned on a first side of the tissue to be stapled and the anvil is positioned on a second side of the tissue. The anvil is moved toward the staple cartridge to compress and clamp the tissue against the deck. Thereafter, staples removably stored in the cartridge body can be deployed into the tissue. The cartridge body includes staple cavities defined therein wherein staples are removably stored in the staple cavities. The staple cavities are arranged in six longitudinal rows. Three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a first side of a longitudinal slot and three rows of staple cavities are positioned on a second side of the longitudinal slot. Other arrangements of staple cavities and staples may be possible. 
     The staples are supported by staple drivers in the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between a first, or unfired position, and a second, or fired, position to eject the staples from the staple cavities. The drivers are retained in the cartridge body by a retainer which extends around the bottom of the cartridge body and includes resilient members configured to grip the cartridge body and hold the retainer to the cartridge body. The drivers are movable between their unfired positions and their fired positions by a sled. The sled is movable between a proximal position adjacent the proximal end and a distal position adjacent the distal end. The sled comprises a plurality of ramped surfaces configured to slide under the drivers and lift the drivers, and the staples supported thereon, toward the anvil. 
     Further to the above, the sled is moved distally by a firing member. The firing member is configured to contact the sled and push the sled toward the distal end. The longitudinal slot defined in the cartridge body is configured to receive the firing member. The anvil also includes a slot configured to receive the firing member. The firing member further comprises a first cam which engages the first jaw and a second cam which engages the second jaw. As the firing member is advanced distally, the first cam and the second cam can control the distance, or tissue gap, between the deck of the staple cartridge and the anvil. The firing member also comprises a knife configured to incise the tissue captured intermediate the staple cartridge and the anvil. It is desirable for the knife to be positioned at least partially proximal to the ramped surfaces such that the staples are ejected ahead of the knife. 
     An end effector can be configured to articulate relative to the handle and/or shaft of a surgical instrument. For example, the end effector can be pivotably and/or rotatably coupled to the shaft of the surgical instrument such that the end effector is configured to pivot relative to the shaft and the handle. In various instances, the end effector can be configured to articulate at an articulation joint located intermediate the end effector and the shaft. In other instances, the shaft can include a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an articulation joint, which can be located intermediate the proximal portion and the distal portion of the shaft, for example. 
       FIGS. 1-5  illustrate aspects of a modular surgical cutting and fastening instrument that, in one form, includes a motor-driven, reusable handle module  10  that may be used, and reused, in connection with one or a variety of different detachable (and typically reusable) shaft modules (DSM)s. As described in more detail below, the handle module  10  may include a housing  12  with one or more motor-driven rotary drive systems that generate and apply various control motions to corresponding drive shaft portions of a particular DSM coupled thereto. Two such rotary drive systems  20 ,  40  are shown in the handle module  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 5 . The first rotary drive system  20  may be employed, for example, to apply “closure” motions to a corresponding closure drive shaft assembly that is operably supported in the DSM and the second rotary drive system  40  may be employed, for example, to apply “firing” motions to a corresponding firing drive shaft assembly in the DSM that is coupled thereto. The various DSMs may be releasably and interchangeably connected to the housing  12 . Three exemplary DSMs that could be connected to the handle module  10  in various arrangements are depicted in  FIG. 1 . The depicted exemplary DSMs include an open linear stapler DSM  1 , a curved cutter stapler DSM  2 , and a circular surgical stapler DSM  3 . Other DSM types that are adapted for the drive systems  20 ,  40  of the handle module  10  could also be used, including an endocutter DSM, which is described in more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/633,541, entitled MODULAR STAPLING ASSEMBLY, which was filed on Feb. 27, 2015, and is incorporated by reference in its entirety. More details about an exemplary dual-drive surgical cutting and fastening instrument are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/248,590, entitled MOTOR DRIVEN SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH LOCKABLE DUAL DRIVE SHAFTS, filed Apr. 9, 2014, hereinafter “the &#39;590 application,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the housing  12  comprises a handle  14  that is configured to be grasped, manipulated and actuated by a clinician. The handle  14  may comprise a pair of handle housing segments  16  and  18  that may be interconnected by screws, snap features, adhesive, etc. In the illustrated arrangement, the handle housing segments  16 ,  18  cooperate to form a pistol grip portion  19  that can be gripped and manipulated by the clinician. The handle  14  operably supports the two rotary drive systems  20 ,  40 . 
     The first and second rotary drive systems  20 ,  40  may be powered by a motor  80  through a “shiftable” transmission assembly  60  that essentially shifts power/motion between two power trains. The first rotary drive system  20  includes a first rotary drive shaft  22  that is rotatably supported in the housing  12  of the handle  14  and defines a first drive shaft axis “FDA-FDA.” A first drive gear  24  is keyed onto or otherwise non-rotatably affixed to the first rotary drive shaft  22  for rotation therewith about the first drive shaft axis FDA-FDA. Similarly, the second rotary drive system  40  includes a second rotary drive shaft  42  that is rotatably supported in the housing  12  of the handle  14  and defines a second drive shaft axis “SDA-SDA.” In at least one arrangement, the second drive shaft axis SDA-SDA is offset from and parallel or substantially parallel to the first drive shaft axis FDA-FDA. As used in this context, the term “offset” means that the first and second drive shaft axes are not coaxial. The second rotary drive shaft  42  has a second drive gear  44  keyed onto or otherwise non-rotatably affixed to the second drive shaft  42  for rotation therewith about the second drive shaft axis SDA-SDA. In addition, the second drive shaft  42  has an intermediate drive gear  46  rotatably journaled thereon such that the intermediate drive gear  46  is freely rotatable on the second rotary drive shaft  42  about the second drive shaft axis SDA-SDA. 
     In one form, the motor  80  includes a motor output shaft that has a motor drive gear  82  attached thereto. The motor drive gear  82  is configured for intermeshing “operable” engagement with the transmission assembly  60 . In at least one form, the transmission assembly  60  includes a transmission carriage  62  that is supported for axial travel between the drive gear  82  and gears  44  and  46  on the second rotary drive shaft  42 . For example, the transmission carriage  62  may be slidably journaled on a support shaft  63  that is mounted within the housing  12  on a shaft mount  61  such that the line of action of the transmission carriage is perpendicular to the gear trains of the rotary drive systems. The shaft mount  61  is configured to be rigidly supported within slots or other features within the handle module  10 . The transmission carriage  62  includes a carriage gear  64  that is rotatably supported on the support shaft  63  and is configured for selective meshing engagement with gears  44  and  46  while in driving engagement with drive gear  82 . In the arrangement depicted in  FIGS. 1-5 , the transmission carriage  62  is attached operably to a shifter or a “means for shifting”  70  that is configured to shift axially the transmission carriage  62  between a “first drive position” and a “second drive position.” In one form, for example, the means for shifting  70  includes a shifter solenoid  71  that is supported within the housing  12  of the handle  14 . The shifter solenoid  71  may comprise a bi-stable solenoid or, for example, may comprise a dual position, spring loaded solenoid. The illustrated arrangement includes a spring  72  that biases the transmission carriage  62  in the distal direction “DD” to the first drive position wherein the carriage gear  64  is in meshing engagement with the intermediate drive gear  46  while also in meshing engagement with the drive gear  82 . When in that first drive position, activation of the motor  80  will result in rotation of gears  82 ,  46  and  24 , which will ultimately result in rotation of the first drive shaft  22 . 
     The shifter solenoid  71  may be actuated by a firing trigger  90  that is pivotally supported on the housing  12  of handle  14  as shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . In the illustrated embodiment, the firing trigger  90  is pivotally supported on a firing trigger shaft  92  mounted in the handle  14 . The firing trigger  90  is normally biased in an unactuated position by a firing trigger spring  94 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The firing trigger  90  is mounted for operable actuation of a firing switch  96  that is operably supported on a control circuit board assembly  100  housed in the housing  12  of the handle module  10 . In the illustrated arrangement, actuation of the firing trigger  90  results in the actuation of the shifter solenoid  71 . Actuation of the firing trigger  90  results in the shifter solenoid  71  pulling the transmission carriage  62  in the proximal direction “PD” to thereby move the carriage gear  64  into meshing engagement with the second drive gear  44 . Actuation of motor  80  when the carriage gear  64  is in meshing engagement with the drive gear  82  and the second drive gear  44  will result in the rotation of the second drive shaft  42  about the second drive shaft axis “SDA.” The shiftable transmission assembly  60  may also include an indicator system  74  that includes a pair of switches  75  and  76  that are operably coupled to the control board  100  as well as a transmission indicator light  77 . The switches  75 ,  76  serve to detect the position of the transmission carriage  62 , which results in the control system actuating the indicator light  77  depending upon the position of the transmission carriage  62 . For example, the indicator light  77  may be energized when the transmission carriage  62  is in the first drive position. This provides the clinician with an indication that actuation of the motor  80  will result in the actuation of the first drive system  20 . 
     The motor  80  may be a DC brushed driving motor having a maximum rotation of, approximately, 25,000 RPM, for example. In other arrangements, the motor may include a brushless motor, a cordless motor, a synchronous motor, a stepper motor, or any other suitable electric motor, including autoclavable motors. The motor  80  may be powered by a power source  84  that in one form may comprise a power pack  86  that is removably stored in the pistol grip portion  19  of the handle  14 . To access the power pack  86 , the clinician removes a removable cap  17  that is attached at the bottom of the pistol grip portion  19 . The power pack  86  may operably support a plurality of battery cells (not shown) therein. The battery cells may each comprise, for example, a Lithium Ion (“LI”) or other suitable battery type. The power pack  86  is configured for removable operable attachment to the control circuit board assembly  100  of the handle module  10 , which is also operably coupled to the motor  80  and mounted within the handle  14 . The power pack  86  may comprise a number of battery cells connected in series that may serve as the power source for the surgical instrument. In addition, the power source  84  may be replaceable and/or rechargeable and, in at least one instance, can include CR123 batteries, for example. 
     The motor  80  may be actuated by a “rocker-trigger”  110  that is pivotally mounted to the pistol grip portion  19  of the handle  14 . The rocker trigger  110  is configured to actuate a first motor switch  112  that is operably coupled to the control board  100 . The first motor switch  112  may comprise a pressure switch that is actuated by pivoting the rocker trigger  110  into contact therewith. Actuation of the first motor switch  112  will result in actuation of the motor  80  such that the drive gear  82  rotates in a first rotary direction. A second motor switch  114  is also attached to the circuit board  100  and mounted for selective contact by the rocker trigger  110 . Actuation of the second motor switch  114  will result in actuation of the motor  80  such that the drive gear  82  is rotated in a second direction. For example, in use, a voltage polarity provided by the power source  84  can operate the electric motor  80  in a clockwise direction wherein the voltage polarity applied to the electric motor by the battery can be reversed in order to operate the electric motor  80  in a counter-clockwise direction. The handle  14  can also include a sensor that is configured to detect the directions in which the drive systems are being moved. 
     The housing  12  may also comprise a surgical instrument contact board  30  mounted thereto. Correspondingly, the various DSMs (e.g., DSMs  1 ,  2 ,  3 ) may include a mating DSM contact board (see FIGS. 34-60 of the &#39;590 application). The DSM contact board may be positioned in the DSM such that when the DSM is operably coupled to the handle module  10 , the end effector contact board is electrically coupled to a handle module contact board  30  mounted in the handle module  10 . In such a manner, data and/or electric power can be transferred between the handle module  10  and the DSM via the mating contact boards. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates one form of mechanical coupling system  50  that may be employed to facilitate the simultaneous removable and operable coupling of the two drive systems  20 ,  40  in the handle module  10  to the corresponding “driven” shafts in the DSMs. The coupling system  50  may comprise male couplers that may be attached to the drive shafts in the handle module  10  and corresponding female socket couplers that are attached to the driven shafts in the surgical DSM. Each of the male couplers  51  are configured to be drivingly received within corresponding female socket couplers  57  that may also be attached to the driven shafts within the DSM. 
     Arrangements for driving the drive systems  20 ,  40  are disclosed in the &#39;590 application, including that the handle module  10  may include multiple motors. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a modular motor driven surgical instrument  2100  comprising a handle module  2102  and a DSM  2104 . The handle and DSMs  2102 ,  2104  comprise respective electrical subsystems  2106 ,  2108  electrically coupled by a communications and power interface  2110 . The components of the electrical subsystem  2106  of the handle portion  2102  are supported by, and can be connected to, the previously described control board  100 . The communications and power interface  2110  is configured such that electrical signals and/or power can be readily exchanged between the handle portion  2102  and the shaft portion  2104 . 
     In the illustrated example, the electrical subsystem  2106  of the handle module  2102  is coupled electrically to various electrical elements  2112  and a display  2114 . In one instance, the display  2114  is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, although the display  2114  should not be limited in this context, and other display technologies could be used. The electrical subsystem  2108  of the DSM  2104  is electrically coupled to various electrical elements  2116  of the DSM  2104 . 
     In one aspect, the electrical subsystem  2106  of the handle module  2102  comprises a solenoid driver  2118 , an accelerometer system  2120 , a motor controller/driver  2122 , a handle processor  2124 , a voltage regulator  2126 , and is configured to receive inputs from a plurality of sensor switches  2128  that may be located either in the DSM and/or the handle. The handle processor  2124  may be a general-purpose microcontroller suitable for medical and surgical instrument applications. In one instance, the handle processor  2124  may be a TM4C123BH6ZRB microcontroller from Texas Instruments that comprises a 32-bit ARM® Cortex™-M4 80-MHz processor and on-chip memory, such as 256 KB Flash, 32 KB SRAM, internal ROM for C Series software, and 2 KB EEPROM. The electrical subsystem  2106  could also comprise one or more separate, external memory chips/circuits (not shown) connected to the handle processor  2124  via a data bus. As used herein, a “processor” or “processor circuit,” such as the handle processor  2124 , may be implemented as a microcontroller, microprocessor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), that executes program code, such as firmware and/or software, stored in associated memory to perform the various functions programmed by the program code. 
     In one aspect, the electrical subsystem  2106  of the handle module  2102  receives signals from the various electrical components  2112 , including a solenoid  2132 , a clamp position switch  2134 , a fire position switch  2136 , a motor  2138 , a battery pack  2140 , an OLED interface board  2142  (which drives the display  2114 ), and various switches, such as an open switch  2144  (which indicates whether the closure trigger is open), a close switch  2146  (which indicates whether the closure trigger is closed), and a fire switch  2148  (which indicated whether the fire switch is activated or not). The motor  2138  may represent motor  80  in  FIGS. 2-5 . 
     In one aspect, the electrical subsystem  2108  of the DSM  2104  comprises a shaft processor  2130 . The electrical subsystem  2108  of the DSM is configured to receive signals from various switches and sensors  2116  located in the DSM that are indicative of the status of the clamp jaws and cutting element in the DSM. In particular, the electrical subsystem  2108  of the DSM may receive signals from a clamp opened status switch  2150  (which indicates whether the end effector clamp is open), a clamp closed status switch  2152  (which indicates whether the end effector clamp is closed), a fire begin status switch  2154  (which indicates whether the end effector commenced firing), and a fire end status switch  2156  (which indicates whether the end effector ended firing), so that the various switches indicate the states of the clamp and cutting element. 
     The accelerometer system  2120  may include a MEMS motion sensor that senses 3-axis motion of the handle module  10 , such as a LIS331DLM accelerometer from STMicroelectronics. The motor controller/driver  2122  may comprise a three phase brushless DC (BLDC) controller and MOSFET driver, such as the A3930 motor controller/driver provided by Allegro, for example. In one aspect, the modular motor driven surgical instrument  2100  is equipped with a brushless DC electric motor  2138  (BLDC motor, BL motor), also known as an electronically commutated motor (ECM, EC motor). One such motor is the BLDC Motor B0610H4314 provided by Portescap. The sensor switches  2128  may include one or more unipolar integrated circuit type Hall Effect sensors. The voltage regulator  2126  regulates the power supplied to the various electrical components of the handle module  2102  and DSM  2104  from a power source (e.g., battery  2140 ). The battery  2140 , which can represent battery pack  86  in  FIGS. 1-5 , may be, for example, a lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) battery, polymer lithium ion, and/or lithium polymer batteries, for example, which (abbreviated Li-poly, Li-Pol, LiPo, LIP, PLi or LiP) are rechargeable (secondary cell) batteries. The LIPO battery  2140  may comprise several (e.g., four or six) identical secondary cells in parallel (a “pack”). The OLED interface  2142  is an interface to the OLED display  2114 , which comprises organic light-emitting diodes. 
     In one aspect, the DSM processor  2130  of the electrical subsystem  2108  of the DSM  2104  may be implemented as an ultra-low power 16-bit mixed signal MCU, such as the MSP430FR5738 Ultra-low Power MCU from Texas Instruments. It may comprise, among other things, internal RAM nonvolatile memory, a CPU, an A/D converter, a 16-channel comparator, and three enhanced serial channels capable of I2C, SPI, or UART protocols. The subsystem  2108  could also comprise one or more separate, external memory chips/circuits connected to the DSM processor  2130  via a data bus. 
     More details about exemplary electrical subsystem for the handle and DSMs  2102 ,  2104  may be found in the &#39;590 application. In operation, the electrical subsystem  2106  of the handle module  2102  receives signals from the open switch  2144 , close switch  2146 , and fire switch  2148  supported on a housing of the handle module portion  2102  (e.g., housing  12 ). When a signal is received from the close switch  2146  the handle processor  2124  operates the motor  2138  to initiate closing the clamp arm. Once the clamp is closed, the clamp closed status switch  2152  in the end effector sends a signal to the shaft processor  2130 , which communicates the status of the clamp arm to the handle processor  2124  through the communications and power interface  2110 . 
     Once the target tissue has been clamped, the fire switch  2148  may be actuated to generate a signal, which is received by the handle processor  2124 . In response, the handle processor  2124  actuates the transmission carriage to its second drive position such that actuation of the motor  2138  will result in the rotation of a second drive shaft. Once the cutting member is positioned, the fire begin status switch  2154  located in the end effector sends a signal indicative of the position of the cutting member to the DSM processor  2130 , which communicates the position back to the handle processor  2124  through the communications and power interface  2110 . 
     Actuating the first switch  2148  once again sends a signal to the handle processor  2138 , which in response actuates the second drive system and the firing system in the DSM to drive the tissue cutting member and wedge sled assembly distally through the surgical staple cartridge. Once the tissue cutting member and wedge sled assembly have been driven to their distal-most positions in the surgical staple cartridge, the fire end switch  2156  sends a signal to the DSM processor  2130  which communicates the position back to the handle processor  2124  through the interface  2110 . Now the fire switch  2148  may be activated to send a signal to the handle processor  2124 , which operates the motor  2138  in reverse rotation to return the firing system to its starting position. 
     Actuating the open switch  2144  once again sends a signal to the handle processor  2124 , which operates the motor  2138  to open the clamp. Once open, the clamp opened status switch  2150  located in the end effector sends a signal to the shaft processor  2130 , which communicates the position of the clamp to the handle processor  2124 . The clamp position switch  2134  and the fire position switch  2136  provide signals to the handle processor  2124  that indicate the respective positions of the clamp arm and the cutting member. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram of a process flow that may be executed by the handle processor  2124  in various instances by executing software and/or firmware instructions for the handle processor  2124  stored in the internal memory of the processor and/or in an external memory chip/circuit connected to the handle processor  2124 . At step  202 , the handle processor  2124  monitors input signals from sensors of the instrument  2100  for so-called “life events.” The life events are events or actions involving the handle module  2102  and/or the DSM  2104  wherein the handle module  2102  should be retired (i.e., no longer used) once the threshold number of life events is reached. The life events could be the clamping of the end effector, the firing of the end effector, combinations of these events, and/or other events or actions involving the handle module  2102  and/or DSM  2104  that can be and are sensed by the instrument  2100 . For example, the open switch  2144 , the close switch  2146 , and the fire switch  2148  of the handle module  2102  may be coupled to the handle processor  2124 . In addition to or in lieu of the above, the clamp opened status switch  2150 , the clamp closed status switch  2152 , the fire begin status switch  2154 , and the fire end status switch  2156  in the DSM  2104  may be coupled to the handle processor  2124  (via the interface  2110 ). A life event may occur and may be counted when some or all these respective switches are activated, and/or activated in a particular sequence detected by the handle processor  2124 , depending on the design and application of the handle module  2102  and instrument  2100 . For example, in various implementations, each detected clamp closure and each detected firing may count as a life event. Stated another way, a detected clamp closure can comprise a first life event and a detected firing can comprise a second, or different, life event. In other implementations, a sequence of a clamp closure followed by firing may count as one life event. Also, as described above, the handle processor  2124  can use inputs from the handle sensors  2144 ,  2146 ,  2148  and/or the DSM sensors  2150 ,  2152 ,  2154 ,  2156 , for example, to detect life events. 
     The handle processor  2124  keeps a count of the life events. When a life event is detected, the handle processor  2124  increments the present value of the life event counter in either its internal or external memory at step  204 . The counter may be a count-up counter, where the count is increased by one count (increment by +1) when a life event occurs until a pre-established threshold is met; or the counter may be a count-down counter, where the count is decreased by one count (incremented by −1) when a life event occurs until a specific end count (e.g., zero) is reached after starting at value that is different from the end count by the pre-established threshold. The pre-established life event count threshold could be set at any value desired by the manufacturer of the handle module  2102  in view of the particular sensor events that count as life events. 
     If the life event counter reaches the pre-established life event threshold at step  206 , the handle processor  2124  may initiate one or more end-of-life actions at step  208 , such as causing the display  2114  of the handle module  2102  or some other display (e.g., a mechanical counter visible to the user), for example, in communication with the handle processor  2124  to indicate that the handle module  2102  is spent (at end-of-life) and should be retired. Any suitable visual, tactile, and/or audible indication may be used. For example, the display  2114  may include an icon and/or text indicating that the end-of-life for the handle module has been reached. The display  2114  could also indicate the life event count on an on-going basis, such as by a numerical display or volume indicator (full, close to empty, etc.), for example, so that the user can monitor whether the handle module is nearing the end of its life cycle. In addition or in lieu of a constant display of the life event count, the display  2114  may have an icon and/or use text to show that the handle module is nearing the end of its life (e.g., “N uses left”). The handle processor  2124  may also initiate conditions that prevent further use of the handle module  2102  when the end-of-life count is reached, as described further below. If the end-of-life count has not been reached, the handle processor  2124  continues to monitor the switches and sensors for life count events until the end-of-life threshold is reached. 
     Various implementations of sensors could be used to detect certain life events. For example, the DSM that is used (e.g., DSM  1 ,  2  or  3 ) may include two drive shafts—one for driving the closure system and one for driving the firing system (each driven by one of the drive systems  20 ,  40  respectively), for example. Each such drive shaft may drive a carriage forward during a clamping or firing event, respectively. As such, the closure and/or firing systems may include switches that are triggered when the closure or firing carriage, as the case may be, contacts them. The switch(es) may be coupled to the handle processor  2124 , and the handle processor  2124  may register a life event count when it receives a signal from the switch(es) that it has been triggered. The switches may be automatically-resettable push button switches that reset each time they are contacted—and triggered—by the carriage driven by the drive shaft. 
     Further to the above, the &#39;590 application describes that the DSMs  1 - 3  may include a pair of lead screws for driving the closure and firing systems of various different types of DSMs. Examples of such lead screw pairs are shown in the &#39;590 application at  FIGS. 34-37  thereof for an open linear stapler,  FIGS. 38-41  thereof for a curved cutter stapler, and  FIGS. 42-45  thereof for a circular surgical stapler. Other DSM types that are adapted for the handle module could also be used, such as endocutters and/or right-angle staplers, for example. Since different DSMs could be used with the handle module, the handle module (e.g., the handle processor  2124 ) could use more sophisticated algorithms for tracking handle module usage and remaining life that depend on the number of times the various types of DSMs are used and fired. For example, in one instantiation, the handle processor  2124  could compute a progressively accumulating life event score that weighs the use by different DSMs differently (depending on how stressful they are on the handle module, for example) and compares the score to a predetermined threshold value. When the handle module&#39;s score reaches the threshold value, the handle module is retired (e.g., one or more end-of-life actions are taken). For example, the handle processor  2124  may compute the life event score based on the following relationship:
 
Life Event Score=Σ i=1   N   W   i Σ j=1   S   F   i,j  
 
where i=1, . . . N represents the different DSM types that could be used with the handle module (e.g., endocutter, liner open, circular, curved, right-angle stapler, etc.), W is a weighting factor for DSM type i, and F is the number of firings for DSM type i over the j=1, . . . S procedures involving DSM type i. DSM types that impart less stress in general on the handle module could have a lower weight W than then DSM types that impart greater stress in general on the handle module. That way, in various arrangements, a handle module that is used only for high stress procedures would expire prior to a handle module that is used only for less stressful procedures, all other things being equal.
 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary process flow that the handle processor  2124  may execute to compute a life event score and/or compare the life event score to a threshold score. In such instances, the handle processor  2124  can execute firmware and/or software stored in internal and/or external memory, for example. Assuming that the threshold score of the handle module has not yet been reached, the process starts at block  250  where the handle processor  2124  receives inputs for the upcoming procedure. At least one such input can include an identification of the type of DSM that is attached to the handle module, which the handle processor can receive from the DSM processor  2130  when the DSM is connected to the handle module and/or when the handle processor  2124  and the DSM processor  2130  establish a data connection therebetween. In the process of recognizing and/or authenticating the DSM, the DSM processor  2130  sends an identifier to the handle processor  2124  that identifies the type of DSM (e.g., endocutter, circular, etc.) that is attached to the handle module. Next at step  252 , the handle processor  2124  tracks how many times the handle module is fired during the surgical procedure. The handle processor  2124  may track how many times the handle module has been fired by tracking the number of times the firing trigger has been activated and/or by tracking feedback from the DSM, such as indications that the end effector cartridge has been replaced, for example. 
     Following the procedure and/or at any other suitable time, referring now to step  254 , the handle processor  2124  may update the handle processor&#39;s life event score by adding the score for the just-completed procedure to the prior score. The score for the just-completed procedure may be based on multiplying the weighting for the DSM type used in the procedure W and the number of firings in the procedure S. The handle processor  2124  may determine the weighting for the DSM type W by looking up the weighting in a look-up table (stored in internal and/or external memory) based on the type identifier received from the DSM at step  250 . At step  256 , the handle processor compares the updated life event score for the handle module to the pre-established threshold score to determine if the handle module is at the end of its life. If the threshold has been reached, the process advances to step  258  where one or more end-of-life actions for the handle module are taken such as, for example, one or more of the end-of-life actions described herein. On the other hand, if the threshold has not yet been reached, the process can advance to step  260  so that the handle module can be used in at least one more procedure, whereupon the process of  FIG. 9  is repeated. 
     The loading conditions experienced by the instrument can be used to track the usage of both the handle module and the DSM to assess whether one or both of the handle module and the DSM should be retired. One such instantiation can involve comparing the force actually exerted by the instrument to drive the firing member of the end effector to the force that the instrument was expected to experience, for example. Similarly, the force actually exerted to retract the firing member can be compared to the force that the instrument was expected to experience in order to assess whether the handle module and/or the DSM should be retired. The handle module can be rated to a threshold number of firings based on the force levels that the handle module is expected to experience. Similarly, the DSM can be rated to a threshold number of firings based on the force levels that the DSM is expected to experience. The handle module threshold number and the DSM threshold number can be the same or different. If the actual forces experienced by the handle module and/or the DSM meaningfully exceed the expected force levels, the handle processor and/or the DSM processor, as the case may be, can determine that the handle module and/or the DSM should be retired before reaching its expected number of firings. 
     In some instances, further to the above, the force exerted by a handle module and/or DSM may be constant throughout a firing stroke of the firing member; however, it is quite common for the force exerted by the handle module and/or DSM to change throughout the firing stroke. In either event, the force exerted by the handle module and/or the force expected to be exerted by the handle module can be a function of the firing member position. Similarly, the force exerted by the DSM and/or the force expected to be exerted by the DSM can be a function of the firing member position. A particular type of DSM can have an expected firing force which is correlated to the firing stroke of the DSM throughout the entire length thereof, i.e., the distance between the initial starting position of the firing member and its end-of-stroke position. The DSM can also have an expected retraction force which is correlated to the retraction stroke of the DSM throughout the entire length thereof, i.e., the distance between the end-of-stroke position of the firing member and its starting position.  FIG. 10A  shows an example of expected forces for one type of DSM. The upper curve  270  shows the expected firing forces as the firing member traverses the end effector from its starting position to its end-of-stroke position, and the lower curve  272  shows the expected retraction forces as the firing member is retracted back to its starting position. In this particular example, the expected firing forces are greater than the expected retraction forces. 
     For each firing, further to the above, the handle module and/or DSM processors can track the force exerted per unit distance increment (e.g., 1 millimeter) of stroke length. Moreover, the handle module and/or DSM processors can track the force exerted for each distance increment of stroke length and then compare the actual forces to the expected forces to see if the actual forces exerted exceeded the expected forces or not. One way to measure the force exerted by the instrument during firing and retraction is to measure the torque output of the motor(s) during the firing and retraction strokes. In at least one instance, the torque output of a motor can be determined based on the current drawn by the motor and the motor speed. In at least one such instance, the voltage applied to the motor is constant. The current can be measured with a current sensor; the motor speed can be measured with an encoder, for example.  FIG. 10A  shows exemplary force measurements as departures from the expected firing stroke forces and the expected retraction stroke forces. In this diagram, for the sake of simplicity in the illustration, all of the measured forces exceeded the expected force, and only the difference between the measured force and the expected force is show by the line segments  274  for the firing stroke and the by the dotted line segments  276  for the retraction stroke. The reader should appreciate that one or more measured forces could be less than their respective expected force. 
       FIG. 10B  is a diagram of an exemplary process flow executed by the handle module processor and/or the DSM processor by executing firmware and/or software stored in the memory of the handle module and/or DSM, as the case may be. Referring now to step  280 , the processor can aggregate, i.e., accumulate, the difference between the measured force and the expected force at each unit length increment (denoted AL below) along the firing stroke and/or the retraction stroke of the instrument. For example, the accumulated force difference for a firing stroke and a subsequent retraction stroke could be computed based on the following relationship:
 
Accumulated Force Difference=Σ ΔL=0   EOS ( F   m,f,ΔL   −F   e,f,ΔL )+Σ ΔL=EOS   0 ( F   m,r,ΔL   =F   e,r,ΔL )
 
where EOS represents end-of-stroke location; F m,f,ΔL  and F e,f,ΔL  represent the measured and expected firing forces, respectively, at position AL; and F m,r,ΔL  and F e,r,ΔL  represent the measured and expected retraction forces respectively at position AL. At step  282 , the processor can then accumulate the force differences by summing the accumulated force differences per firing for each of the firings that the handle module and/or DSM has experienced.
 
     With regard to one particular embodiment, further to the above, the processor can calculate the accumulated force differences in real-time. In at least one instance, the processor can calculate the force differences after each firing and retraction cycle. In certain instances, the processor can calculate the force differences after each surgical procedure, which may include more than one firing and retraction cycle. For example, if there were seven (7) firings in a particular procedure, then the processor would sum the result from step  280  for each of the seven firings. Next, at step  284 , the handle can update the total accumulated force differences for the handle module and/or the DSM, as the case may be, by adding the accumulated force differences for the recently-completed procedure to the total prior to the recently-completed procedure (or zero in the case of the module&#39;s first procedure). At step  286 , the processor can then compare the updated accumulated force difference total to a threshold. If the threshold has been reached or otherwise satisfied, the process advances to step  288  where an end-of-life action for the handle module or DSM, as the case may be, is taken. Conversely, if at step  286  the processor determines that the threshold has not yet been reached, the handle module and/or DSM, as the case may be, can be used once again. 
     Even if the accumulated force difference threshold has not yet been reached, the handle module and/or the DSM, as the case may be, may have reached the end of its life according to a different threshold. For instance, the process of  FIG. 10B  can advance to step  289  after step  286  where the processor compares the total number of procedures involving the handle module and/or the DSM, as the case may be, to a procedure count threshold. In at least one example, a handle module can have a procedure count threshold of 20 procedures and a DSM can have a procedure count threshold of 10 procedures. Other examples are possible. In at least one other example, a handle module and a DSM can have the same procedure count threshold. If the procedure count threshold has been reached, the end-of-life action for the handle module and/or DSM, as the case may be, is initiated at step  288 . Conversely, if the procedure count threshold has not yet been reached, the process advances to step  290  where the handle module and/or the DSM is prepared for another procedure. Any of the techniques described herein for tracking procedure counts may be used to detect the end of a procedure. 
     In various embodiments, the handle processor could perform the calculations for both the handle module and the DSM and then communicate the results for the DSM to the DSM processor so that the DSM processor can initiate the end-of-life actions, if required. Similarly, the DSM processor could perform the calculations for both the handle module and the DSM and then communicate the results for the handle module to the handle processor so that the handle processor can initiate the end-of-life actions, if required. In another arrangement, all of the measured forces for a procedure can be downloaded following a procedure to a remote processor, such as a processor in an inspection station or another remote computer-or-processor-based system that is connected to the handle module following a procedure for post-procedure processing, for example. Such an inspection station is disclosed and described in connection with  FIGS. 12A-B , for example. 
       FIG. 10C  illustrates, in conjunction with  FIGS. 10D and 10E , another exemplary process flow that the handle processor could employ to monitor whether the handle module, for example, has reached its end of life. The process illustrated in  FIG. 10C  determines whether the handle module has reached its end of life based on the energy used by the handle module over its life, an exemplary graph of which is shown in  FIG. 10D .  FIG. 10D  depicts the aggregate, or accumulated, energy spent by a handle module as a function of the uses, or firings, of the handle module. In addition to or in lieu of the above, the process illustrated in  FIG. 10C  can determine whether the handle module has reached its end of life based on the power used during each firing of the handle module, an exemplary graph of which is shown in  FIG. 10E .  FIG. 10E  depicts the power consumed for each individual firing of the handle module. In at least one particular embodiment, the processor, in implementing the exemplary process of  FIG. 10C , monitors whether the energy expended by the handle module, in the aggregate, exceeds various thresholds (see  FIG. 10D ) and, concomitantly, whether the handle module has had a certain number of firings above a threshold power level (see  FIG. 10E ). When both of these conditions have been met, in at least one instance, the handle processor can conclude that the handle module is at its end of life. In certain instances, the handle processor could utilize any number of multiple-factor tests, with thresholds for each test, to determine if a handle module is at its end of life. In at least one instance, the handle processor can determine that it has reached its end of life if any test threshold has been met or exceeded. 
     Following a procedure, the handle processor can execute the process of  FIG. 10C  by executing firmware and/or software stored in internal and/or external memory to determine whether the handle module is at its end of life. At step  290 , the handle processor can compare the accumulated energy of the handle module over its life to a first threshold energy level, i.e., Energy Level  1  in  FIG. 10D . Energy Level  1  can be 40 kJ, for example. The handle module may include a micro watt or power meter connected to the motor(s) of the handle module to measure and record the electrical parameters of the motor(s) so that the energy and power outputs of the motor(s) can be determined. If the first threshold energy level has been reached or exceeded, i.e., Energy Level  1 , the handle processor can determine at step  291  that the handle module is at its end of life and initiate an end-of-life action, such as one or more of the end-of-life actions described herein, for example. 
     If the handle processor determines that first threshold energy level, i.e., Energy Level  1 , has not been met at step  290 , the process advances to step  292  where the handle module determines if a second, (e.g., lower) energy threshold has been met, i.e., Energy Level  2  in  FIG. 10D . Energy Level  2  can be 30 kJ, for example. If the second threshold energy level has been reached or exceeded (without reaching or exceeding the first threshold energy level), the process advances to step  293  where the handle processor determines if the handle module has undergone a certain number of firings over its life that have exceeded a first power level threshold, e.g., two firings greater than 55 Watts (see  FIG. 10E ). If the second energy level threshold has been met or exceeded and the power level threshold has been met or exceeded the predetermined number of times, the handle processor can determine that the handle module is at its end of life. If, however, the power level threshold has not been met or exceeded the predetermined number of times, the handle processor can determine that the handle module has not yet reached its end of life even though the second energy level threshold has been met or exceeded. The dual factors of steps  292  and  293  can be another test on the handle module&#39;s life, and if the handle module fails both tests (i.e., both thresholds or conditions have been satisfied), the handle module can be determined to be at its end of life. 
     The handle processor can execute any number of such dual-factor tests. The example of  FIG. 10C  shows one additional such dual-factor test. If the dual factors of steps  292  and  293  are not both satisfied, the process can advance to step  294  where the handle module determines if a third (e.g., still lower) energy threshold, i.e., Energy Level  3 , has been met. Energy Level  3  can be 25 kJ, for example. If the third threshold energy level has been reached or exceeded (without reaching or exceeding the third threshold energy level), the process advances to step  295  where the handle processor determines if the handle module has had a certain number of firings over its life (preferably greater than the number of such firings checked for at step  293 ) that exceeded a second power level threshold (which could be the same or different from the power level threshold at step  293 ), e.g., four firings greater than 55 Watts. The dual factors of steps  294  and  295  can be another test on the handle module&#39;s life, and if the handle module fails both tests (i.e., the thresholds or conditions have been satisfied), the handle module can be determined to be at its end of life. Otherwise, the handle processor can determine that the handle module is not at its end of life and can be used in a subsequent procedure. 
     It should be apparent that the steps of  FIG. 10C  can be performed in various orders while still achieving the same result. For example, steps  294  and  295  can be performed before step  290 , and so on. 
     According to current best practices, a handle module should be sterilized before it is used to perform a surgical procedure. In various instances, the handle module is placed in a sterilization tray which is then placed in a sterilization chamber. In addition to or in lieu of the above described manners for tracking the end of life of the handle module, the number of times that the handle module is placed in a sterilization tray for sterilization could be used to track the end of life for the handle module. Stated another way, the number of times that a handle module is sterilized can serve as a proxy for the number of times that the handle module has been used. In at least one exemplary embodiment, each handle module has its own sterilization tray that keeps the sterilization count for that particular handle module. In such an arrangement, the sterilization tray may include a counter that is incremented each time the associated handle module is placed in the tray. The counter can have visual readout display that can show the number of times the handle module has been sterilized if a count-up counter is used or the number of sterilizations remaining, or permitted, when a count-down counter is used. That way the user can know when the sterilization limit is reached and, as a result, the user can retire the handle module and/or take other appropriate end-of-life measures. In order for the placement of the handle module in a sterilization tray to be used a proxy for the number of times the handle module is sterilized and, thus, a proxy for the number of times the handle module has been used, the handle module should be sterilized in one and only one sterilization tray. That way, the counter does not count placements in the tray of other handle modules. Accordingly, the handle module and sterilization tray could be provided together, as a kit for example, and they may include identifiers (e.g., numbers or icons) which show that they are to be used together. The handle module and DSM could be sterilized separately or together, for example. 
       FIG. 11A  depicts an exemplary sterilization tray  300  and a handle module  302  which is positionable in the sterilization tray  300 . The sterilization tray  300  defines an opening, or recess,  304  whose shape matches the shape of handle module  302  to be placed therein. The recess  304  is configured to closely receive the handle module  302  such that there is little, if any, relative movement possible therebetween. The sterilization tray  300  includes a stroke counter  306  that has a lever arm  308  that extends into the opening  304 . The stroke counter  306  further includes a counter visual readout  310 . When the user places the handle module  302  in the opening  304 , the lever arm end  308  is depressed, toggled, or stroked, which registers as a count, thereby incrementing the stoke counter  306  by one for a count-up counter (or −1 for a count-down counter) which is displayed on the readout  310 . To reduce false toggles or strokes of the lever arm  306 , in various arrangements, the lever arm end  308  may include a protrusion  312  configured to fit into a corresponding opening  314  defined in the handle module  302 .  FIG. 11B  shows the handle module  302  after it is placed in the sterilization tray  300 . The lever end arm  308  is not visible in  FIG. 11B  because it is underneath the handle module  302 . The counter readout  310  remains visible to the user when the handle module  302  is positioned in the opening  304 . 
       FIGS. 11C and 11D  depict a variation where a handle module  302  can be placed in sterilization tray  300  with a DSM  312 . Handle module  302  is similar to handle module  10  in many respects and DSM  312  represents an exemplary DSM. In such an arrangement, the sterilization tray  300  includes a handle module opening  318  for receiving the handle module  302 , a handle module lever counter  314 , and a handle module counter readout  316 . The tray  300  also includes a DSM opening  324  for receiving the DSM  312 , a DSM lever counter  320 , and a DSM counter readout  322 . In such an arrangement, the handle module  302  and the DSM  312  should only be sterilized in a particular sterilization tray  300  so that their respective sterilizations can be accurately tracked. The handle module counter  312  shows the number of times the handle module  302  has been sterilized in the sterilization tray  300 , and/or the number of sterilizations remaining. The DSM counter  324  shows the number of times the DSM  312  has been sterilized in the sterilization tray  300 , and/or the number of sterilizations remaining. The handle module  302  could be sterilized without the DSM  312 , and vice versa, in which case their respective counts may not be equal. 
       FIGS. 11E to 11I  illustrate other arrangements for using a sterilization tray  300  to track uses of a handle module. In  FIG. 11E , the sterilization tray  300  includes a protrusion  340  extending upwardly from the bottom of the opening  304  in the sterilization tray. The protrusion  340  is positioned to extend into a corresponding opening  342  defined in the handle module  302  when the handle module  302  is seated in the opening  304 . As shown in  FIG. 11F , the handle module  302  may comprise a two-position mechanical toggle switch  344  having a portion extending into the opening  342  defined by the handle  302  when the switch  344  is in a first position. When the handle module  302  is placed in the sterilization tray  300 , the opening  342  is aligned with the protrusion  340  such that the protrusion  340  pushes the switch  344  to a second position, as shown in  FIG. 11G . The switch  344  may be in communication with the handle processor and the handle processor may update an internal sterilization count (stored in internal and/or external processor memory of the handle module) when the switch  344  is moved from the first position ( FIG. 11F ) to the second position ( FIG. 11G ). In such an embodiment, the handle module  302  may comprise a power source as described herein to power the handle processor and to update the sterilization count during sterilization. Such a power source can comprise a secondary battery which is not removed from the handle module even if a primary battery is removed from the handle module  302 . The handle processor may compare the sterilization count to a predetermined threshold (e.g., 20 sterilizations) and when the sterilization count reaches the predetermined threshold, the handle processor may implement one or more of the various end-of-life actions described herein, for example. The switch  344  may stay in the “triggered” or “activated” state until it is reset at a later time, such as after the sterilization process, for example (see  FIG. 36 ). The switch  344  can be biased by a spring, for example, to revert back to its open position once the handle module  302  is removed from the tray  300  and the protrusion  340  is removed from the opening  342 . The handle module processor could also set an internal flag to indicate that the handle module  302  was placed in the sterilization tray  300  and this flag can later be reset after the sterilization process (see  FIG. 37 ).  FIGS. 11H and 11I  illustrate a similar embodiment with a contact switch  348 . When the handle module  302  is placed in the sterilization tray  300 , the opening  342  is aligned with the protrusion  340  such that the protrusion  340  closes the contact switch  348 , as shown in  FIG. 11G , when the handle module  302  is seated in the opening  304 . The contact switch  348  is in communication with the handle processor to update the sterilization count of the handle module. The contact switch  348  may be biased to revert back to its open position ( FIG. 11H ) by a spring, for example, when the handle  302  is removed from the tray  300  and pressure being applied to the contact switch  348  by the inserted protrusion  340  is removed. 
     In addition to or in lieu of the above described manners for tracking the end of life of a handle module, the end of the life of a handle module could be tracked through the use of an inspection station to which the handle module can be connected. The inspection station could be used at any suitable time to evaluate whether the handle module can be used to perform a surgical procedure and/or a subsequent step in a surgical procedure. For instance, an inspection station could be used before, during, and/or after the sterilization process of a handle module and/or while preparing the handle module for reuse. The handle module could be connected to the inspection station after (i) the post-op cleanup for reusable components of the handle module following a procedure (usually involving a manual wipe down of the component or instrument); (ii) decontamination (e.g., by auto-washer) of the component or instrument; and/or (iii) cleaning and/or room drying of the component or instrument, for example. Placement of the handle module on the inspection station can be a proxy for the number of times the handle module was used, sterilized, and/or otherwise processed for reuse. A display on the inspection station (or elsewhere) may indicate to a user when a threshold number of placements of the handle module on the inspection station has been reached or is about to be reached, at which point the user can take appropriate action with respect to the handle module, such as retire it, for example. Also, the inspection station could upload data to the handle processor that prevents further usage of the handle module (e.g., disables the handle module) when the handle module has reached the end of its life. 
     Further to the above,  FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate an exemplary inspection station  400  and handle module  402 . The handle module  402  is similar to the handle module  10  in many respects.  FIG. 12A  shows the handle module  402  before being placed on the inspection station  400  and  FIG. 12B  shows the handle module  402  after being placed into position on the inspection station  400 . Similar to other embodiments disclosed herein, the handle module  402  comprises a battery cavity  403  defined therein which is configured to receive a battery pack therein. See battery pack  86  in  FIGS. 2-5 , for example. As also disclosed elsewhere herein, the battery pack is readily insertable into and removable from the battery cavity  403 .  FIG. 12A  also shows that the battery pack is removed from the handle module  402  thereby exposing the battery cavity  403  prior to the handle module  402  being placed on the inspection system  400 . The inspection station  400  comprises an insert, or data/power adapter,  404  extending therefrom that is sized and configured to fit within the battery cavity  403  of the handle module  402 . The data/power adapter  404  is placed in communication with the processor of the handle module via the power contacts configured to engage the power terminals of the battery pack and/or via one or more signal contacts positioned in the battery cavity  403 , as described in greater detail further below. The handle module  402  may be positioned on the inspection station  400  by sliding the opening  403  over the data/power adapter  404 . 
       FIG. 12C  is a block diagram illustrating certain components of the inspection station  400  and the handle module  402 . The data/power adapter  404  includes power terminals  430  that provide voltage there-across to a voltage regulator  432  of the handle module  402  in the same or similar manner in which the battery pack provides voltage to the voltage regulator  432  when the battery pack is positioned in the opening  403 . For instance, if a battery pack is configured to supply 6V DC to the voltage regulator  432 , the insert  404  can be configured to supply 6V DC to the voltage regulator  432 , for example. The voltage regulator  432  provides electrical power to the control board  100  (see  FIGS. 1-6 ) of the handle module  402  to power the components of the control board  100 , including a handle processor  434  and the associated internal and/or external memory  436 , for example. The inspection station  400  may itself be powered by an AC power source through a power cord  437  utilizing appropriate AC-DC converters. The inspection station  400  includes data ports  438  which come into contact with data ports  440  of the handle module  402  when the handle module  402  is engaged with the inspection station  400  so that the handle processor  434  can be in communication with the inspection station processor  442 . As the reader will appreciate, the inspection station  400  can further include internal and/or external memory  444  associated with the inspection station processor  442 . 
       FIG. 12D  is a diagram of a process flow that may be performed by the handle processor  434  and/or the inspection station processor  442  when executing software and/or firmware in the handle memory  436  and/or the inspection station memory  444  to track and respond to the number of times the handle module  402  is placed on the inspection station  400 . In various arrangements, whenever the handle module  402  is installed on the inspection device  400  such that the insert  404  makes data and/or power connections to the control board  100  of the handle module  402 , the handle processor  434  may increment an inspection counter. The inspection counter may be a count-up counter from zero to a pre-established threshold number of inspections or a count-down counter from the pre-established threshold number of inspections to zero. In at least one instance, the handle module  402  includes an inspection station insertion switch  446  ( FIG. 12C ) that is triggered when the data/power adapter  404  is fully and properly inserted into the opening  403 . This switch  446  may be in communication with the handle processor  434  via the control board  100  and, when the switch  446  is triggered at step  420  of  FIG. 12D , the handle processor  434  may increment (by +1 or −1 as the case may be, depending on the type of counter) the inspection counter at step  422 . At step  424 , the handle processor  434  may compare the inspection count to the predetermined threshold. If the threshold has not yet been reached, the handle processor  434  may then output at step  426  the value of the inspection counter to the inspection station processor  442  while in data communication with the inspection station  400  via the insert  404 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 12E , the inspection station  400  may include a visual display  448  that displays visual information related to the inspection counter, such as the number of times the handle module  402  has been placed on the inspection station  400  and/or the number (or approximate number) of times remaining that the handle module  402  should be placed on the inspection station  400  for inspection before the handle module  402  has reached its end-of-life, for example. However, if the inspection count threshold has been reached, the process may advance to step  428  where appropriate end-of-life action(s) may be taken. One such end-of-life action is that the display  448  of the inspection station  400  may visually display to the user that the handle module  402  should not be used any further. Another end-of-life action that could be employed in addition to or in lieu of the visual display is that the inspection station processor  442  sends an instruction string to the handle processor  434  that causes the handle processor  434  to disable further use of the handle module  402 . For example, the instruction string could instruct the handle processor  434  to never thereafter actuate the motor of the handle module  402  or some other disabling action. For example, the instruction string may instruct the handle processor to set a flag that, when set, prevents the handle processor  434  from actuating the motor. 
     In various embodiments, the inspection station insertion switch  446  may be a pressure switch that is actuated when the data/power adapter  404  is fully inserted into the opening  403  and reset when the data/power adapter  404  is removed, or at least partially removed, from the opening  403 . In various aspects, there could be a timer associated with the inspection station insertion switch  446  so that the inspection station counter is incremented (step  422  of  FIG. 12D ) only if the switch  446  is activated for at least a threshold period of time (e.g., 30 seconds, etc.). Such a timer could reduce the number of false positives, i.e., short placements of the handle module  402  on the inspection station  400  that are likely not associated with post-procedure inspection or sterilization of the handle module  402 . 
     In another variation, the inspection station  400  includes a pressure switch with a counter whose readout is displayed to a user. The inspection station pressure switch is activated by placement of the handle module  402  on the inspection station  400 . For example, the inspection station pressure switch could be at the base on the insert  404  of the inspection station  400  such that when the handle module  402  is fully slid onto the insert  404 , the inspection station pressure switch is activated. Each time the inspection station pressure switch is activated, the counter could be updated (e.g., incremented by one) so that the readout shows the number of times that the handle module  402  has been installed on the inspection system  400 . Such a counter could be a mechanical counter and/or an electronic counter, for example. If the limit, or threshold, is displayed on the inspection station  400 , displayed on the handle module  402 , and/or otherwise publicized to the user, the user can know if the limit has been reached or is being approached. In at least one instance, the limit could be printed on the inspection station  400  and/or the handle module  402 , for example. 
     The display  448  of the inspection station  400  could also display other information obtained by the inspection station  400  and/or communicated to the inspection station  400  from the handle module  402  via the data connection therebetween. For example, the handle processor memory may store a device type identifier for the handle module (e.g., a serial number) and that device type identifier may be downloaded to the inspection station processor  442  for display on the display  448 . In addition to or in lieu of the above, the display  448  may indicate a state of the handle module, such as how close the handle module is to its end-of-life and/or whether or not the handle module as been locked out, for example, based on status data received from the handle processor  434 . As described herein, the display  448  could indicate the number of remaining uses (e.g., procedures) for the handle module and/or the number of procedures in which the handle module has been used. As disclosed herein, the inspection station  400  could also be used to perform post-procedure testing of the handle module  402  to ensure that the handle module  402  can be used in a subsequent procedure. This testing can include moisture testing, seal integrity testing, and/or simulated load testing, for example. The display could indicate the results of those tests (e.g., passed, failed, in progress). 
     In addition to or in lieu of the above, the display  448  of the inspection station  400  may indicate the status of the inspection station itself, such as whether the inspection station is (i) downloading data from the handle module, (ii) uploading data and/or software upgrades to the handle module, (iii) processing data, and/or (iv) performing testing, for example. The display  448  may indicate results from the testing and data processing, such as whether the handle module is ready to use in another procedure, whether the handle module needs servicing, whether the warranty of the handle module has expired because the handle module has reached its threshold number of uses, for example, and/or other warnings. The display  448  of the inspection station  400  may be a LED-backlit LCD display, for example, that is controlled by the inspection station processor  442 . The inspection station  400  may also include control buttons  410 , as shown in  FIG. 12E , where a user could input data and/or configuration settings that are stored and used by the inspection station processor  442 . The display  448  could also be a touch-screen where users could enter data and/or configuration settings, for example, via the touch-screen. The inspection station  400  may include an external data port  412 , such as a USB, micro or mini USB, for example, for connection to a data cable  414  so that data can be uploaded from or downloaded to the inspection station  400 . For example, procedure data from the handle module  402  could be downloaded to the inspection station  400  and then downloaded to a remote computer device via the data port  412 . Software and/or firmware upgrades could be downloaded from a remote computer device via the data port  412  to the inspection station  400  and then uploaded to the handle module  402 , for example. 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  depict an arrangement for tracking the use of a handle module by tracking the installation of power packs in the handle module.  FIG. 13A  is a block diagram of a handle module  500 . The handle module  500  is similar to the handle module  10  in many respects. The handle module  500  includes a removable power pack  502 , such as a battery, for example, and a handle processor  504 .  FIG. 13B  illustrates a process flow that may be executed by the handle processor  504 . The process can be executed from firmware and/or software in memory  506  which is associated with the processor  504 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13A , the power pack  502  may include an identification emitter  508 , such as a RFID tag, for example, that can communicate with an identification receiver  510 , such as a RFID reader, for example, in the handle module  500 . The identification emitter  508  is a wireless signal emitter, for example; however, any suitable identification emitter could be used. The identification receiver  510  is a wireless signal receiver that is in communication with the handle processor  504 , for example; however, any suitable identification receiver could be used. The identification emitter  508  transmits a unique ID for the power pack  502  which can be received by the identification receiver  510 . The strength of the signal emitted by the identification emitter  508  can be controlled or limited such that the identification receiver  510  can only detect the signal emitted from the identification emitter  508  when the power pack  502  is very close to the identification receiver  510  (e.g., within 10 cm). In at least one instance, the identification receiver  510  can be mounted on the control board  100  ( FIGS. 2-4 ) such that the identification receiver  510  can only detect the identification emitter  508  when the power pack  502  has been inserted in the handle module  500 . In various instances, short range RFID tags and readers could be used such that the identification receiver  510  is less likely to falsely detect power packs  502  that are not installed in the handle module  500 . 
     Referring to the process flow depicted in  FIG. 13B , the identification reader  510  detects an identification emitter at step  520 . At step  522 , the handle processor  504  determines whether the power pack  502  is a new power pack based on its ID received by the identification receiver  510 . The term “new” in this context means that a particular power pack  502  has not been used with a particular handle module  500 . The handle processor  504  may perform this step by comparing the ID for the newly detected power pack  502  to a stored list of power pack IDs that were previously detected by the identification receiver  510 . Such a list of previously-used power pack IDs are stored in a non-volatile memory of the handle module  500 , for example. If the power pack  502  is not new, i.e., its ID is on the stored list of previously used power packs, the process advances to step  524 , where appropriate and pre-established action(s) is taken. For example, the handle processor  504  can disable use of the handle module  500  until a new, i.e., previously-unrecognized, power pack is installed in the handle module  500 . In at least one such instance, the handle module  500  can disable the motor  80 . In addition to or in lieu of the above, the display of the handle module  500  can display to the user that the power pack is not new and request installation of a different power pack, which returns the process to step  520 . 
     If the power pack  502  is determined to be new by the processor  504 , i.e., the ID of the power pack  502  is not on the stored list of previously-used power packs, the process advances to step  526  where the handle processor  504  increments the use count for the handle module  500 . As before, a count-up counter and/or a count-down counter could be used. At step  528 , the handle processor  504  compares the use count to a pre-established threshold value that represents the number of times that the handle module  500  should be used with a different, unique power pack. Such a use count can serve as a proxy for the number of times the handle module  500  has been used in patient procedures. If the use count threshold has been reached at step  528 , a pre-established end-of-life action(s) can be taken at step  529 . For example, the handle processor  504  may disable the motor, the handle module display may display to the user that the handle module  500  has no remaining uses, and/or activate an alarm alerting the user that there are no remaining uses, for example. If the use count threshold has not been reached, the handle processor  504  adds the ID of the new power pack  502  to the stored list of previously-used power packs at step  530  so that the new power pack  502  cannot be used after its current use. In other variations, the steps illustrated in  FIG. 13B  could be performed in different orders. For example, the new power pack ID could be added to the stored list prior to incrementing the use count. Other techniques for tracking installation of power packs in the handle module are described below in connection with  FIGS. 14E and 15A -B. 
     The embodiment described above in connection with  FIGS. 13A and 13B  can be used with rechargeable and/or non-rechargeable battery packs. That said, battery packs which are used with a handle module  500 , recharged, and then reused with the same handle module  500  may cause the handle module  500  to go into a lockout mode. With regard to this particular embodiment, recharged battery packs would have to be reused with a different handle module. Along these lines, an embodiment of the handle module  500  is envisioned in which a recharged battery pack can be reused with the same handle module  500 . 
     In at least one instance, the processor  504  can employ logic which prevents a battery pack  502  from being counted two or more times for the same use. In at least one instance, the processor  504  may not count a battery pack  502  a second time unless it has been dis-engaged from and re-engaged with the handle module  500 . Even then, the processor  504  may require an elapsed time between the first engagement and the subsequent engagement before counting the subsequent engagement as a second use. Such an elapsed time could be the time that it takes to recharge the battery pack, for example. 
     In addition to or in lieu of the above, a handle module can track the number of times that a DSM is connected to and/or disconnected from the handle module as a proxy for the number of times that the handle module has been used. The handle module can display the updated number of uses remaining for the handle module, the estimated number of uses remaining for the handle module, such as with a volume indicator that indicates the percentage of life remaining, for example, and/or the number of times that the handle module has been used. When the use threshold limit has been reached, the handle module, via the handle processor, can take one or more end-of-life actions, such as displaying that the handle module is spent, disabling further use of the handle module by disabling the motor, for example, and/or sounding an audible alarm, for example.  FIGS. 14A-G  represent different arrangements for tracking the connection or disconnection of an DSM to a handle module, as discussed in greater detail further below. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 14A , a handle module  600 , which is similar to the handle module  10  in many respects, comprises two rotary drive systems  602 ,  604 . A DSM having two drive systems, discussed above, can be operably coupled to the rotary drive systems  602 ,  604 . The DSM can have grooves that are configured to receive and slide onto bilateral edges  605 A,  605 B of a tongue defined in a connection area  608  on the upper portion of the handle module  600 . In such an arrangement, the handle module  600  may include a depressible switch  612  on the tongue, as shown in  FIG. 14A , and/or elsewhere in the connection area  608  such that, when a DSM, such as DSM  634  ( FIGS. 14B and 14C ), for example, is connected to the handle module  600 , the depressible switch  612  is depressed. In at least one instance, the DSM may not depress the switch  612  until the DSM has been fully seated onto the handle module  600 . The switch  612  may be connected to the handle processor wherein the handle processor may count the number of times the depressible switch  612  is depressed as a proxy for the number of times that a DSM has been connected to the handle module  600  and/or as a proxy for the number of times that the handle module  600  has been used. Also, the handle processor could require that the depressible switch  612  be depressed continuously for at least a certain period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) before incrementing the count to reduce instances of false positives. When a pre-established threshold number of uses, or activations of switch  612 , has been reached, an end-of-life action(s) may be performed, as described herein. 
       FIGS. 14B and 14C  illustrate one arrangement for an electro-mechanical depressible switch  612 . As shown, the depressible switch  612  includes a head  620  that extends into an opening  622  defined in the tongue and/or any other suitable DSM-mating surface of the handle module  600 . The head  620  may be at the end of a spring arm  624  configured to bias the position of the head  620  upwardly into the opening  622 . The spring arm  624  also includes a shoulder  626  positioned behind an extension, or edge,  628  defined in the handle module  600  that limits the upward movement of the head  620  in the opening  622  to a desired position. The depressible switch  612  also includes a contact  630 . When the switch  612  is in an unactuated, or open, condition, as illustrated in  FIG. 14B , the spring arm  624  is not in engaged with the contact  630 ; when the DSM  634  is attached to the handle module  600  and pushes the head  620  downwardly, as illustrated in  FIG. 14C , the shoulder  626  of the spring arm  624  engages the contact  630  and closes the switch  612 . The DSM  634  includes a projection  632  extending therefrom which is configured to contact the head  620 . The switch arm  624  and the contact  630  can be comprised of electrically conductive materials which can complete a circuit in communication with the handle processor when the head  620  is depressed downwardly by the DSM  634 , as discussed above. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 14D , a handle module  700  may include an electrical contact board  702  that interfaces/mates with and makes electrical connections to a corresponding electrical contact board  704  on a DSM  706 . In at least one instance, the processor of the handle module  700  may count the number of times that a DSM, such as the DSM  706 , for example, is assembled to the handle module  700 . The processor can increase the DSM-connection count when the contacts  704  of the DSM  706  engage the contacts  702  of the handle module  700  and make a working data connection therebetween. The mating of the contact boards  702 ,  704  can serve as a proxy for the number of times that a DSM has been connected to the handle module  700  and as a proxy for the number of times that the handle module  700  has been used. Similar to the above, the handle processor could require that there be a data connection between the contact boards  702 ,  704  continuously for at least a certain period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) before incrementing the count to reduce the instances of false positives. In another variation, the handle processor and the DSM processor may exchange data when the DSM  706  is connected to the handle module  700 . In this exchange, the handle processor can receive identification information for the DSM  706  so that the handle processor can identify the DSM  706  connected to the handle module  700  (e.g., the model type for the DSM). In such an arrangement, the handle processor may increment the DSM-connection count each time that the handle processor receives identification information from a DSM that is attached thereto. In any of these variations, the handle processor compares the DSM connection count to a pre-established threshold, and if the threshold is reached, the handle processor takes an end-of-life action(s). 
     An alternative arrangement for detecting the connection of a DSM to a handle module is shown in  FIGS. 14E-14G . The illustrated arrangement uses a Hall Effect sensor to detect the connection of the DSM  706  to the handle module  700 . As shown in  FIG. 14E , the handle module  700  may include a Hall Effector sensor  710  positioned relative to an upper surface  712  of the handle module  700  to which the DSM  706  is to be attached. Correspondingly, the DSM  706  includes a magnet  714 , such as a permanent magnet, for example, that is in close proximity to the Hall Effect sensor  710  when the DSM  706  is fully and properly connected to the handle module  700 , as shown in  FIG. 14G . The Hall Effector sensor  710  may be in communication with the handle processor via a lead wire  716 , for example. The Hall Effect sensor  710  can sense the approaching magnet  714  of the DSM  706  as the DSM  706  is installed on the handle module  700 . The magnetic field generated by the magnet  714  may be constant and the handle processor can have access to data regarding the magnetic field such that the distance between the magnet  714  and the Hall Effect sensor  710  can be determined based on the output of the Hall Effect sensor  710 . Once the distance between the magnet  714  and the Hall Effect sensor  710  stabilizes to a distance corresponding to the DSM  706  being fully and properly installed on the handle module  700 , the handle processor can infer that the DSM  706  is fully and properly installed on the handle module  700  and update the DSM-connection count. 
     Similarly, referring again to  FIG. 14E , the handle module  700  includes a battery cavity  724  configured to receive a battery pack  722  therein. The handle module  700  further includes a Hall Effect sensor  720  configured to detect the insertion of the removable battery pack  722  into the battery cavity  724 . The battery-pack Hall Effect sensor  720  can be positioned at an upper interior surface  723  in the battery cavity  724  in the handle module  700  for the battery pack  722 . As the reader will appreciate, the battery pack  722  is configured to supply power to the handle module  700  via electrical terminals  726  and it may be desirable to position the Hall Effect sensor  720  as far away as possible from the electrical terminals  726  such that any magnetic fields generated by the current flowing through the terminals  726  do not substantially disturb the ability of the Hall Effect sensor  720  to properly detect the insertion of the battery pack  722  into the handle module  700 . The battery pack  722  includes a magnet  730 , such as a permanent magnet, for example, that the Hall Effect sensor  720  senses as the battery pack  722  is inserted into the battery cavity  724 . Similar to the DSM Hall Effect sensor  710 , the battery pack Hall Effector sensor  720  is in communication with the handle processor via a lead wire  732 , for example. The Hall Effect sensor  720  can sense the approaching battery pack magnet  730  as the battery pack  722  is installed into the battery cavity  724 . The magnetic field generated by the magnet  730  may be constant and the handle processor can have access to data regarding the magnetic field such that the distance between the magnet  730  and the Hall Effect sensor  720  can be determined based on the output of the Hall Effect sensor  720 . Once the distance between the magnet  730  and the Hall Effect sensor  720  stabilizes to a distance corresponding to the battery pack  722  being fully and properly installed in the handle module  700 , the handle processor can infer that the battery pack  722  is fully and properly installed in the handle module  700  and update the battery-pack-connection count. 
     A handle module can track the number of times that a DSM and/or a battery pack is connected to and/or disconnected from the handle module as a proxy for the number of times that the handle module has been used. The handle module can display the updated number of uses remaining for the handle module, the estimated number of uses remaining for the handle module, such as with a volume indicator that indicates the percentage of life remaining, for example, and/or the number of times that the handle module has been used. When the use threshold limit has been reached, the handle module, via the handle processor, can take one or more end-of-life actions, such as displaying that the handle module is spent, disabling further use of the handle module by disabling the motor, for example, and/or sounding an audible alarm, for example. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 15A and 15B , a handle module  800  can track the installation of power packs thereto utilizing a pressure switch that is depressed when a power pack  806 , for example, is completely and properly attached to the handle module  800 . The handle module  800  is similar to the handle module  10  in many respects. The handle  800  includes an electrically conductive contact pad  802  that the power pack  806  connects to in order to supply voltage to the electrical components of the handle module  800 . In the illustrated arrangement, a pressure switch  804  is adjacent to the conductive contact pad  802  and it is in communication with the handle processor. When the power pack  806  is assembled to the handle module  800 , referring to  FIG. 15B , the housing of the power pack  806  depresses and actuates the pressure switch  804 . Each time the pressure switch  804  is actuated, the handle processor can increment the power-pack-connection count until a threshold is reached, at which point an end of life action(s) can be undertaken. Similar to the above, the handle processor may require that the pressure switch  804  be actuated continuously for a period of time (e.g., 30 seconds) before incrementing the power-pack-connection count to reduce instances of false positives. In other arrangements, an electro-mechanical switch could be used, for example. 
     In various instances, a processor of a handle module can increment the use count each time that the handle processor is powered on. In certain instances, the processor of a handle module can automatically power down when a battery pack is disengaged from the handle module. Similarly, the processor can automatically power up when a battery pack is engaged with the handle module. In at least one such embodiment, the battery pack is the sole power source for the handle module and the disconnection of the battery pack from the handle module may immediately de-power the processor and the connection of a battery pack to the handle module may immediately re-power the processor. In certain embodiments, the handle module can include one or more capacitive elements which can store power from a battery pack when the battery pack is engaged with the handle module. When the battery pack is disconnected from the handle module, the capacitive elements can provide power to the processor for a period of time and, as a result, the processor may not power down during a battery pack change. In such instances, the processor can count a life, or use, event if a battery installation is detected by a sensor, as described above, and/or if the processor is powered on after being de-powered. 
     In various instances, the handle processor of the handle module  800  can track how often it receives electrical power via the conductive contact pad  802  that is used to couple the battery power pack  806  to the internal electrical components of the handle module  800 . For example, the handle module  800  may comprise a micro voltage and/or current sensor (not shown) connected to the conductive contact pad  802 . The voltage and/or current sensor may be in communication with the handle processor. When a threshold input voltage and/or current from the power pack  806  is detected at the contact pad  802 , the handle processor can increment the battery-pack-connection count. This arrangement may be useful where the handle processor is powered at times by power sources other than the power pack, such as by supercapacitors or other sources. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 16 , a handle module  900  comprises a plurality of power sources, including a removable battery power pack  902  and a secondary power source  904 , for example. The removable battery power pack  902  is similar to the removable battery power packs described herein in many respects. The battery power pack  902  contains multiple Li ion and/or LiPo battery cells, for example. The secondary power source  904  provides a source of power to the handle module  900  even when the removable battery power pack  902  has been removed or otherwise disconnected from the handle module  900 . With regard to this embodiment, the secondary power source  904  is used for low-power operations of the handle module  900 , such as powering the electronic components on the control board  910  when the removable battery power pack  902  is removed from the handle module  900 —and not for high-power operations, such as powering the motor(s)  905  of the handle module  900 , for example. In various arrangements, the secondary power source  904  may comprise rechargeable battery cells and/or supercapacitors (a/k/a ultracapacitors) that are charged by the removable battery power pack  902  when it is installed. The secondary power source  904  can power the electronic components on the control board  910  in the absence of the primary power source  902  for as long as the secondary power source  904  possesses a sufficient charge. 
     The secondary power source  904  may permit the handle module  900  to track use events and/or take end-of-life actions even when the power pack  902  is not installed in the handle module  900 .  FIG. 17A  is a flow chart of a process executable by the processor of the control board  910 , such as handle processor  2124 , for example. The process can be executed from software and/or firmware stored in the memory of the handle module, for example, in accordance with at least one embodiment. Prior to performing a surgical procedure, the power pack  902  is installed in the handle module  900 . At step  920  of the process, the handle processor may record a time stamp for when a DSM is properly connected to the handle module  900 . Once the surgical procedure begins, at step  922 , the handle processor may record time stamps for each firing of the handle module  900  that occur during the surgical procedure. In addition, the handle processor can track the time which elapses between the firings. In at least one instance, the secondary power source  904  can continue to supply power to the handle processor to track the time following a firing event even if the removable power pack  902  is removed from the handle module  900 . At step  924 , the handle processor can determine whether the elapsed time since the last firing is greater than a threshold time period. In at least one instance, the threshold time period may be on the order of the time required to substantially process and sterilize the handle module following a procedure, for example. If the time period between firings is not greater than the threshold, it can be assumed that the procedure is ongoing and the process may return to step  922  to record the time stamp for the next firing. On the other hand, if the time period between firings is greater than the threshold, it can be assumed that the procedure has concluded, at which point, at step  926 , the handle processor can increment the use count of the handle module  900 . At step  928 , the handle processor compares the use count to the pre-programmed threshold use count for the handle module  900 . If the use count is less than the threshold, the handle module  900  can be used in another procedure and the process can return to step  920  to await connection of a DSM for the next procedure. On the other hand, if the use count threshold has been reached, the process advances to step  930 , where the end-of-life action(s) for the handle module  900  can be initiated. As described above, the end-of-life action(s) can include disabling the handle module such that the handle module cannot be used in subsequent surgical procedures. In at least one instance, the motor of the handle module can be physically and/or electronically disabled. In certain instances, the end-of-life action(s) include visually indicating the end of life for the handle module on a display of the handle module and/or sounding an audible alarm, for example. 
       FIG. 17B  is a flow chart of another exemplary process that can be executed by the handle processor and powered at times by the secondary power source  904  to track uses of the handle module. At step  950 , the handle processor can detect the connection of the removable battery power pack  902  to the handle module  900 . Various techniques for detecting the insertion of the battery power pack  902  are described elsewhere herein. In various instances, the insertion of the power pack  902  indicates to the handle processor that a surgical procedure involving the handle module  900  is about to commence. As a result, the handle processor can set a process flag to ON at step  952  when the handle processor detects the insertion of the power pack  902  into the handle module  900 . At step  954 , the handle processor can detect the complete and proper connection of a DSM to the handle module for the procedure. Various techniques for detecting the attachment of a DSM are described elsewhere herein. Once the DSM and the battery pack  902  have been properly attached, the surgical instrument can be used to complete a surgical procedure. In the event that the battery pack  902  is removed from the handle module  900 , the handle processor can detect removal of the battery power pack  902  at step  956 . Various techniques for detecting the removal of a power pack are disclosed elsewhere herein. In various instances, removal of the power pack is indicative of the conclusion of a surgical procedure and, as a result, the handle processor, now powered by the secondary power source  904 , can increment the use count for the handle module  900  at step  958 . Even if the removal of the power pack does not constitute the end of a surgical procedure, the insertion of a new battery pack and/or the re-insertion of a re-charged battery pack can be viewed as another use. Such reuse of the handle module  900  may be conditioned on a test administered at step  960  to assess whether the handle module  900  has reached the end of its useful life. If the end of the handle module&#39;s life has been reached, the handle processor can initiate an appropriate end-of-life action(s) at step  962 . Various end-of-life actions are disclosed elsewhere herein. It should be appreciated that, with regard to any of the embodiments disclosed herein, an end-of-life action can be overridden by the user of the handle module. Such instances can typically arise when the use threshold count has been reached in the middle of a surgical procedure, for example. 
       FIGS. 18A-18E  show end-of-life actions that could be taken by a handle module that uses a removably battery power pack, for example, to prevent further use of the handle module.  FIG. 18A  illustrates a handle module  1000  which includes an internal spring-activated lock-out  1002 . The lock-out  1002 , when released by the handle module  1000 , prevents the complete and proper installation of a battery power pack  1004 , and/or any other suitable battery pack, into the handle module  1000 . In various instances, the lock-out  1002  can be configured to completely prevent the power pack  1004  from entering the handle module  1000 . In other instances, the lock-out  1002  can prevent the power pack  1004  from being inserted to a depth in which the battery contacts make electrical contact with the handle contacts, as illustrated in  FIG. 18A  and described in greater detail further below. Owing to the activation of the lock-out  1002 , the power pack  1004  sticks out of the handle module  1000  by a distance D, as also illustrated in  FIG. 18A . But for the lock-out  1002 , the battery pack  1004  could be seated to a depth in which an end cap  1006  of the battery pack  1004  is flush, or at least substantially flush, with the housing of the handle module  1000 . 
     As discussed above, the lock-out  1002  can selectively prevent the power pack  1004  from supplying power to the handle module  1000 . In the non-locked-out state of the handle module  1000  illustrated in FIG.  18 B, an electrical contact pad  1016  of the handle module  1000  can be in contact with a contact pad  1018  of the battery pack  1004  so that the internal electrical components of the handle module  1000  can be powered by the battery power pack  1004 . In the locked-out state of the handle module  1000  illustrated in  FIG. 18C , the lock-out  1002  prevents the contact pad  1018  of the battery pack  1004  from contacting the contact pad  1016  of the handle module  1000 . In embodiments where the handle module  1000  does not include a secondary power source and/or a means for storing power, the handle module  1000  will be unusable in its locked-out condition. In embodiments where the handle module  1000  includes a secondary power source and/or a means for storing power, the handle module  1000  can utilize the power from these other sources to run the operating system of the handle module  1000 , but not the drive systems and/or electric motors of the handle module  1000 , for example. 
       FIG. 18B  illustrates the lock-out  1002  in a normal, operational state where it is not locking out the battery pack  1004  and  FIG. 18C  illustrates the lock-out  1002  in the locked-out state where it is locking out the battery pack  1004 . The lock-out  1002  is biased to rotate from its unlocked position ( FIG. 18B ) to its locked-out position ( FIG. 18C ) by a torsion spring  1010  that is connected to the lock-out  1002 . The torsion spring  1010  has a first end biased against an internal surface  1013  of the handle module  1000  and a second end mounted to the lock-out  1002 . The handle module  1000  further includes a latch  1012  configured to releasably hold the lock-out  1002  in its unlocked position. The lock-out  1002  includes a lock shoulder  1014  that abuts the latch  1012  when the latch  1012  is in an extended position and, thus, holds the lock-out  1002  in its unlocked position. When the latch  1012  is retracted, as illustrated in  FIG. 18C , the shoulder  1014  of the lock-out  1002  is no longer engaged with the latch  1012  and the torsion spring  1010  can bias the lock-out  1002  into its locked-out position. 
     When an end-of-life condition of the handle module  1000  has not yet been reached, a latch actuator of the handle module  1000  can hold the latch  1012  in the position illustrated in  FIG. 18B . When an end-of-life condition is reached, however, the latch actuator may move the latch  1012  in the direction indicated by arrow A to move the latch  1012  away from the lock shoulder  1014  thereby allowing the lock-out  1002  to rotate counter-clockwise, as indicated by the arrow B in  FIG. 18C , due to the bias of the spring  1010 . In the locked-out state, the lock-out  1002  protrudes into the battery compartment of the handle module such that, when a battery pack  1004  is inserted in the handle module  1000 , the electrical contact pad  1016  of the handle module  1000  does not contact the contact pad  1018  of the battery pack  1004 , as discussed above. The latch actuator can comprise any suitable actuator, such as a solenoid, for example. 
     In addition to or in lieu of the above,  FIGS. 18D and 18E  illustrate an embodiment in which, at the determined end-of-life for the handle module, a battery pack positioned in the handle module cannot be removed from the handle module, thereby preventing the insertion of a new (or recharged) battery pack in the handle module for a subsequent procedure.  FIG. 18D  illustrates a battery pack  1004  in a normal, operational state where it can be removed from the handle module following a procedure and  FIG. 18E  illustrates a latch  1040  locking the battery pack  1004  in the handle module such that the battery pack  1004  cannot be removed from the handle module. As shown in  FIGS. 18D and 18E , the battery pack  1004  may define an opening  1042  in which a latch head  1044  of the latch  1040  can be inserted to lock the battery pack  1004  in position. The latch  1040  is biased downwardly by a compression spring  1046  mounted on an upper shaft  1048  of the latch  1040 . The latch  1040  also includes an upper shoulder  1050  that, in the normal operating state of the handle module, shown in  FIG. 18D , abuts a second latch  1052  that is positioned to keep the spring  1046  in a compressed state and prevent the downward movement of the latch  1040 . As also shown in  FIGS. 18D and 18E , the latch head  1044  includes a shoulder  1054  that, when the latch  1044  is in its actuated position as shown in  FIG. 18E , locks behind a mating shoulder  1056  defined by the battery pack  1004 . 
     In operation, when the handle processor determines that the handle module has reached the end of its life (by any of the means described herein), the handle processor may actuate the second latch  1052  causing the second latch  1052  to move out of the way of the latch  1044 . The second latch  1052  may be actuated by any suitable actuator, such as a solenoid, for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the second latch  1052  moves left to right away from the shoulder  1050  of the latch  1040  as indicated by the arrow A when the latch  1052  is actuated. The removal of the second latch  1052  away from the shoulder  1050  allows the spring  1046  to decompress and urge the latch  1044  downward, as indicated by the arrow B, through an opening  1060  defined in the housing  1013  of the handle module. As the latch  1040  is moved downwardly by the spring  1046 , the latch head  1044  extends into the opening  1042  defined in the battery pack  1004 . The latch shoulder  1054  of the latch head  1044  can slide through the opening  1042  and lock in behind the mating shoulder  1056  of the battery pack  1004 . The downward movement of the latch head  1044  is limited by the handle module housing  1013  when the upper shoulder  1050  of the latch  1040  contacts the handle module housing  1013 . As a result, the battery pack  1004  cannot be removed from the handle module, thereby preventing insertion of a new (or recharged) battery pack into the handle module for a subsequent procedure. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 19A-19C , a handle module  1100  comprises a rechargeable battery pack  1102  (with one or more rechargeable battery cells  1104 ) that can be recharged when the handle module  1100  is docked to a charging station  1106 . The handle module  1100  further includes a slidable door  1108  that slides, generally up and down in a channel  1110  defined in the handle module  1100 , between an open position ( FIG. 19C ) and a closed position ( FIG. 19B ). A compression spring  1112  is positioned in the channel  1110  which is configured to bias the slidable door  1108  downwardly into its closed position. When the door  1108  is in its closed position, the door  1108  can shield the battery charging terminals  1114 , as depicted in  FIG. 19B , from being damaged and/or accidentally coming into contact with a conductive surface in the surrounding environment, for example. To recharge the battery cells  1104 , the handle module  1100  is placed in a receiving area  1120  defined by the charging station  1106  that includes charging terminals  1122  that mate and contact with the charging terminals  1114  of the handle module  1100  when the handle module  1100  is inserted fully and properly in the receiving area  1120 , as shown in  FIG. 19C . As the handle module  1100  is placed in the received area  1120 , the slidable door  1108  engages a shoulder  1124  of the charging station  1106  which urges the slidable door  1108  upward, as indicated by the arrow A, compressing the spring  1112 , and unshielding (or revealing) the battery pack charging terminals  1114 . At such point, the charging terminals  1114  can connect to and contact the receiving station charging terminals  1122  to thereby recharge the battery cells  1104  of the battery pack  1102 . 
     The charging station  1106  may be powered by an AC power supply via a power cord  1130 . The charging station  1106  may also include a visual display  1132  that displays information about the handle module  1100 . For example, the charging station  1106  may include a processor (not shown) that communicates with the handle processor when the handle module  1100  is installed in the charging station  1106 . For example, the charging terminals  1114 ,  1122  may also include data terminals that provide a data path between the processors. The charging station processor can receive information/data from the handle processor that can be displayed on the display  1132 . The displayed information can include, for example, the charge status of the battery pack  1102  (e.g., X % charged) and/or any information tracked by the handle processor, such as the life count or remaining uses of the handle module and/or the number of lifetime firings, for example. 
       FIGS. 20A-20B  show covers  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203  that can be used with a handle module  1200  during a sterilization process to protect the internal components of the handle module  1200 . The handle module  1200  includes an attachment portion configured to have a DSM attached thereto. An end effector connection area cover  1201  can connect to (e.g., snap-fit) and cover where the DSM connects to the handle module  1200 . The handle module  1200  also includes a removable trigger assembly which is used to actuate the drive systems of the handle module  1200 . In addition to or in lieu of the above, a trigger cover  1202  can connect to (e.g., snap-fit) and cover the opening that is created when the firing trigger assembly is removed from the handle module  1200 . The handle module  1200  further comprises a battery cavity configured to receive a removable power pack therein. Also in addition to or in lieu of the above, a battery pack cover  1203  can connect to and cover where the battery pack is inserted in a pistol grip portion  1206  of the handle module  1200 . These covers  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203  are preferably made of a material that is resistant to the chemicals used to sterilize the handle module, such as plastic, for example. Further, the covers  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203  can cover electrical contacts of the handle module  1200  including an end effector contact board  1210 , drive systems  1212 , and/or the internal contacts for the battery pack (not shown), for example. 
     The attachment of the covers  1201 ,  1202 , and/or  1203  to the handle module  1200  can aid in tracking the number of times that the handle module  1200  has been used and/or sterilized. Similarly, the detachment of the covers  1201 ,  1202 , and/or  1203  from the handle module  1200  can aid in tracking the number of times that the handle  1200  has been used and/or sterilized. At least one of the covers  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203  can include means to trigger a switch on the handle module  1200  indicating that the cover has been installed. When such a switch is triggered, the handle processor can assume that a sterilization procedure is imminent and enter a sterilization operation mode which is optimized to endure a sterilization procedure. When the handle processor is in a sterilization operation mode, the handle processor can prevent the motor(s) of the handle module  1200  from being operated, de-power certain contacts and/or sensors, power-up certain contacts and/or sensors, record any data stored in transient memory to a memory chip, copy the memory of the handle module to a back-up memory, and/or create a copy the current version of the operating system software for the handle module, for example. The handle processor can also increase the use count of the handle module  1200  when one or more of the covers  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203  are attached to or detached from the handle module  1200 . In the illustrated arrangement, the DSM connection area cover  1201  includes a protrusion  1220  that contacts and actuates a corresponding switch  1222  on the handle module  1200  (e.g., a depressible switch, or a contact switch, etc.) when the cover  1201  is placed on the handle module  1200 . The switch  1222  may be in communication with the handle processor and, in various instances, the handle processor may update its sterilization count when actuation of the switch  1222  is detected. In other arrangements, the trigger  1220  could be on other cover pieces  1202 ,  1203  and/or placed in different position on the DSM connection area cover  1201 . In any event, since the battery pack is ordinarily removed during sterilization, the covers  1201 ,  1202 ,  1203  are preferably used in a handle module with a secondary power source that powers the handle processor even when the battery pack is removed, as described herein. As described in other arrangements herein, the handle processor may implement one or more of the end-of-life actions described herein when the sterilization count reaches the threshold level. 
       FIG. 20C  shows a variation of the battery pack cover  1203  and  FIG. 20D  shows a battery pack  1240  that is interchangeable with the battery pack cover  1203  in  FIG. 20C . Because the battery pack cover  1203  and the battery pack  1240  are both designed to fit into the battery pack opening in the pistol grip portion  1206  of the handle module  1200  in lieu of one another, the battery pack cover  1203  of  FIG. 20C  has a shape and configuration that is very similar to the battery pack  1240  of  FIG. 20D . For example, the battery pack cover  1203  and the battery pack  1240  both include a clip  1244  for locking to the handle module  1200 . Also, the battery pack cover  1203  and the battery pack  1240  both include one or more tubular vessels  1242 . The battery cells  1246  may be inside the vessels  1242  in the battery pack  1240  but not for the cover  1203 . The cover  1203 , however, also includes a feature(s) that readily distinguishes it from the battery pack  1240 . In the illustrated arrangement, the cover  1203  includes a relatively thin, long, easily-graspable tab  1248  at the bottom of the cover  1203  that can include markings indicating that it is for use in sterilization, as shown in  FIG. 20C . 
     As also shown in  FIGS. 20C and 20D , each of the cover  1203  and the battery pack  1240  may include a respective tab  1250 ,  1252  that are located in different relative locations. In the illustrated arrangement, the tab  1250  of the cover  1203  is on the right vessel  1242  and the tab  1252  on the battery pack  1240  is on the left vessel  1242  thereof. When inserted into the handle module  1200 , the tabs  1250 ,  1252  may contact and actuate corresponding and respective switches in the handle module  1200  to identify the insertion of the cover  1203  or battery pack  1240 , as the case may be. The switches (not shown) may be in communication with the handle processor, and the handle processor can use the actuation of the respective switches to update its use, sterilization, and/or battery-pack-connection counts, as the case may be. The actuation of the sterilization switch can place the handle module  1200  in a sterilization operation mode and the actuation of the battery switch can place the handle module in a surgical operation mode, for example. The tabs  1250 ,  1252  are preferably in two different locations such that the handle module  1200  may include two different switches: a battery switch which is only actuated by the battery pack  1240  and a sterilization switch which is only actuated by the sterilization cover  1203 . In various arrangements, the tabs  1250 ,  1252  could be located at mirror opposite positions on the vessels  1242 , for example. Both the cover  1203  and battery pack  1240  can include feature(s) so that they can only be inserted in one orientation, to thereby prevent the battery pack tab  1252  from actuating the sterilization cover switch and vice versa. In the illustrated arrangement, for instance, the battery pack cover  1203  and the battery pack  1240  both include a tongue  1254  on only one side thereof that can fit into a corresponding groove defined in only one side of the handle module  1200 . 
       FIGS. 21A-21C  show exemplary displays for a handle module  1300  and/or a DSM  1302  that may provide visual information to a user about the status of the handle module  1300  and/or DSM  1302 . As shown in  FIG. 21A , the display may include a display portion  1304 A on the handle module  1300  and a display portion  1304 B on the DSM. The display portions  1304 A and  1304 B can be adjacent to one another or separated from one another. In certain instances, the display portions  1304 A and  1304 B can be utilized to display discrete, or non-overlapping, sets of information. In various instances, the display portions  1304 A and  1304 B can be utilized to display co-ordinated information which may or may not be duplicative. In certain other instances, the display  1304  could be wholly on the DSM  1302  as shown in  FIG. 21B  or, alternatively, the display  1304  could be wholly on the handle module  1300  as shown in  FIG. 21C . The display  1304  may comprise a flat panel display, such as a LED-backlit LCD flat panel display, for example, and/or any other suitable flat panel or non-flat panel display type. The display  1304  may be controlled by the handle processor and/or the DSM processor. 
       FIG. 21D  shows an exemplary display configuration wherein the display comprises adjacent handle and end effector portions  1304 A,  1304 B. As shown in  FIG. 21D , the handle portion  1304 A indicators may include indicators related to the handle module, such as a battery status indicator  1310 , an indicator  1312  that shows that the DSM connected to the handle module is recognized, and/or a general handle module error indicator  1314 . The DSM display  1304 B may include indicators related to the DSM, such as an indicator  1320  for whether the end effector jaws are closed, an indicator for whether the staples in the end effector have not yet been fired, an indicator  1322  for whether the staples have been properly fired, and/or an indicator  1324  for whether there is an error related to the staples or staple cartridge, for example. Of course, in other variations, fewer, more, and/or different icons could be used to alert the user/clinician as to the status of various components and aspects of the handle module  1300  and/or DSM  1302 . For example, the display  1304  may indicate the number of firings remaining for the battery pack and/or the number of remaining uses for the handle module, for example. The display may include buttons and/or a touch screen interface where a user/clinician could input information to the handle module and/or DSM processors/memory. 
     In various instances, a removable battery pack may be sterilized and recharged after a procedure so that it can be reused in a subsequent procedure in the same handle module and/or a different handle module.  FIG. 22  is a diagram of a removable battery pack  1350  that can track the number of times it has been sterilized, which can be a proxy for the number of times that the battery pack  1350  has been used in surgical procedures. The battery pack  1350  may include a number of battery cells  1352  with output voltage terminals  1354 . As shown in  FIG. 22 , the battery pack  1350  may also include a battery pack processor  1360  mounted to a battery pack circuit board  1362 . The battery pack processor  1360  may include internal or external memory (such as external memory chip  1364  mounted to the circuit board  1362 ), and the battery pack processor  1360  can execute software/firmware stored in the memory. As such, the batter pack processor,  1360  can implement a battery management system (BMS) that manages the rechargeable battery. The BMS can protect the battery from being operated outside its safe operating area, monitor the state of the battery, calculate secondary data, report that data, control its environment, authenticate the battery, and/or balance the cells of the battery, for example. 
     In various arrangements, the battery pack  1350  may also include a micro moisture or humidity sensor  1366  for sensing when the battery pack  1350  is in a moist or humid environment consistent with undergoing a sterilization process, for example. The battery pack processor  1360  may be in communication with the moisture/humidity sensor  1366  such that, for each instance that the moisture/humidity sensor  1366  detects a threshold level of moisture or humidity for a threshold period of time which is consistent with a typical sterilization process, the battery processor  1360  may update its sterilization count as a proxy for the number of times the battery pack  1350  has been used. In various instances, the battery processor  1360  can be configured to not count aberrational events that might yield false positives. In any event, once the threshold sterilization count has been reached, the battery pack processor  1360  may disable use of the battery pack  1350 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 22 , the battery pack  1350  may include a data terminal  1368  that can provide a connection to the handle processor of the handle module. When the battery pack  1350  is spent (e.g., reached the sterilization count threshold), the battery pack processor  1360  may send a signal to the handle processor that the battery pack  1350  should not be used. The handle processor may then indicate through its display that there is a problem with the battery pack  1350 . 
     In various instances, the battery pack processor  1360  may update its use count based on data connections to a handle module. Every time the battery pack processor  1360  detects a data connection to a handle module, the battery pack processor can update its use count. 
     The battery pack  1350  may include a secondary power source (not shown) that is charged by the battery cells  1352  when the battery cells  1352  are charged and/or supply power to a handle module during a surgical procedure. In such an embodiment, the low-power battery pack electronic components can remain powered even when the battery pack  1350  is not installed in a handle module. Also, as shown in  FIG. 22 , the battery pack  1350  may include an end cap  1370  and a latch  1372  for facilitating the connection of the battery pack  1350  to the handle module. 
       FIGS. 23A and 23B  illustrate another possible end-of-life action for a handle module. In the illustrated arrangement, a handle module  1400  includes a projecting portion  1402  that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. Prior to the end-of-life of the handle module  1400 , the projecting portion  1402  is held in its retracted position. In such a position, the projecting portion  1402  does not interfere with the handle module  1400  being positioned in the corresponding opening in its sterilization tray  1404 . Once the handle processor determines that the handle module  1400  has reached its end-of-life, according to any suitable algorithm, the projecting portion  1402  is moved into its extended position. In such a position, the projecting portion  1402  interferes with the proper placement of the handle module  1400  in its corresponding opening in the sterilization tray  1404 . In the illustrated arrangement, the projecting portion  1402  is at the distal end  1406  of the handle module  1400 , but it could be placed anywhere that is convenient and that, when projected, inhibits placing the handle module  1400  in the corresponding opening of the sterilization tray  1404 . As mentioned before in connection with  FIG. 11A , the sterilization tray includes an opening whose shape corresponds to the shape of the handle module so that the handle module is closely received in the opening. In the arrangement of  FIGS. 23A and 23B , the handle module  1400  fits into the opening in the sterilization tray  1404  when the projection portion  1402  is retracted (not projected), but does not fit into the opening when the projecting portion  1402  is projected outwardly from the handle module  1400  as shown in  FIGS. 23A and 23B . The projecting portion  1402  may be solenoid-driven, for example. When the handle processor has determined that the end-of-life for the handle module  1400  has been reached, the coil of the solenoid is energized so that the solenoid armature is extended outwardly thereby causing the projecting portion  1402  to extend outwardly from the handle module  1400 , for example. The handle module  1400  may also include a stopper, such as a spring-loaded detent, for example, that prevents the retraction of the solenoid armature and the projecting portion  1402  once they have been actuated. 
     As described in connection with  FIGS. 12A-E , a handle module could be connected to an inspection station before, during, and/or following a procedure. The inspection station can be used to perform tests on the handle module to determine if the handle module is in a condition suitable for another surgical procedure, or whether the handle module needs to be conditioned or repaired before it is suitable for another surgical procedure. As shown in  FIGS. 24A and 24B , an inspection station  1500  includes an extension  1504  configured to be inserted into the empty battery cavity of a handle module such that the extension  1504  can be placed in communication with the handle module, similar to the embodiments described above. A handle module  1501  depicted in  FIG. 24B  comprises such a handle module, for example. The inspection station includes a vacuum coupling  1502  at the upper portion of the extension  1504  which can mate to a corresponding vacuum coupling  1506  in the internal portion of the handle module  1501 . The inspection station  1500  may be connected to a vacuum pump via a vacuum port  1508 , which is connected to the vacuum coupling  1502  of the inspection station  1500  via a tube  1510 . When the vacuum pump is turned on, it may draw air from the internal portion of the handle module  1501  to dry the internal portions of the handle module  1501 . The inspection station  1500  may include pressure gauges and/or air flow sensors in communication with the tube  1510  that measure how well the handle module  1501  holds the vacuum pressure. In various instances, such a vacuum test can evaluate the integrity of various seals throughout the handle module  1501 , such as seals engaged with the rotary drive outputs  1512 ,  1514 , seals engaged with the firing trigger areas  1516 , and/or seals engaged with the electrical contact board  1518  that connects to the DSM, for example. If the various handle module seals are not satisfactory, and the handle module does not adequately maintain the vacuum as detected by the vacuum sensors, the inspection station  1500  can issue a warning via its display indicating that the handle module  1501  needs to be repaired. 
     In addition to or in lieu of the above, an inspection station could be adapted to dry a handle module following a surgical procedure and/or sterilization procedure as part of preparing the handle module for a subsequent procedure.  FIG. 25A  illustrates an inspection station  1600  that could be used to dry a handle module  1602 , for example. Similar to the above, the inspection station  1600  includes a base portion  1610  and, in addition, an extension  1606  extending from the base portion  1610  that is positionable in the empty battery cavity of the handle module  1602  in order to place the handle module  1602  in communication with the inspection station  1600 . The inspection station  1600  includes two fans—a first fan  1604  located at the upper end of the extension  1606 —and a second fan  1608  located at the front of the base portion  1610 . The fans  1604  and  1608  are electrically powered, such as by an AC power source via a power adapter  1612 , for example. The first fan  1604  can be aimed at the internal components of the handle module  1602  through an opening in the battery pack cavity. The upper surface of the extension  1606  can include vent openings through which the air blown by the first fan  1604  can circulate to the handle module  1602 . The second fan  1608  can be aimed at a trigger area  1614  of the handle module  1602  to dry the trigger area  1614  and the surrounding areas of the handle module  1602 . The top, front surface of the base portion  1610  of the inspection station  1600  can include vent openings  1616  for the second fan  1608  so that air blown from the second fan  1608  can be circulated to the trigger area  1614 . The base portion  1610  may also include an air intake for the fans  1604  and  1608 , such as an air intake  1618  in the base portion  1610 . The inspection station  1600  may also include exhaust vents, such as bilateral exhaust vents  1620  at the bottom of the extension  1606 , to allow exhaust to escape from the inspection station  1600 . The inspection station  1600  could include as many fans, air intakes, and/or air exhausts as deemed necessary. 
       FIGS. 25B, 25C, and 25D  illustrate another exemplary inspection station  1600 . The base portion  1610  in  FIGS. 25B, 25C, and 25D  is longer front-to-back than the base station in  FIG. 25A , and the lower front fan  1608  in  FIGS. 25B, 25C, and 25D  is raised above the base portion  1610  and angled at the trigger area  1614 . The arrangement shown in  FIGS. 25B, 25C, and 25D  also includes a cover (or lid)  1630  that attaches to the base portion  1610  of the inspection  1600  and that covers and envelops the handle module  1602 . The cover  1630  may be made of hard, translucent plastic, such as polycarbonate, for example. In one aspect, the fan  1608  may be powered by the adapter  1612  for the inspection station  1600 , as shown in  FIG. 25C . In another aspect, the fan  1608  may have its own power adapter  1632 , separate from the power adapter  1612  for the inspection station  1600 , as shown in  FIG. 25D . The upper surface of the cover/lid  1630  may include one or more air exhaust vents  1634 , and the cover/lid  1630  may also include air intake vents  1636  near the fan  1608 . 
       FIG. 25E  illustrates another arrangement for the inspection station  1600  that uses vacuum flow to dry the handle module  1602 . In such an arrangement, the cover/lid  1630  may define one or more air intakes  1640  (two of which are illustrated in  FIG. 25E ) and have a vacuum port  1642  configured to be placed in communication with a vacuum pump. To dry the handle module  1602 , the vacuum pump is turned on to draw air from the air intakes  1640 , across the handle module  1602 , and into the vacuum port  1642 . Preferably, the vacuum port  1642  is spaced away from the air intakes  1640  to increase the air flow across the handle module  1602 . In the example of  FIG. 25E , the air intakes  1640  are at the bottom of the cover/lid  1630  and the vacuum port  1642  is at the top of the cover/lid  1630 ; however, any suitable arrangement could be utilized. 
     A handle module, such as handle module  1602 , for example, could also be tested by a simulated load adapter. In various instances, the handle module  1602  can be tested by a load adapter  1650  when the handle module  1602  is connected to the inspection station  1600 , as shown in the examples of  FIGS. 26A-26D . In other instances, a simulated load adapter can be configured to test a handle module without a complementing inspection station. In any event, the simulated load adapter  1650  may include a housing  1651  and opposing load motors  1652 ,  1654  positioned in the housing  1651 . As described in greater detail further below, the first load motor  1652  is configured to apply a first test load to a first drive motor of the handle module  1602  and the second load motor  1654  is configured to apply a second test load to a second drive motor of the handle module  1602 . The first load motor  1652  is configured to drive a first mating nut  1660  which is operably engageable with a coupler  1656  driven by the first drive motor of the handle module  1602 . The second load motor  1654  is configured to drive a second mating nut  1662  which is operably engageable with a coupler  1658  driven by the second drive motor of the handle module  1602 . 
     The simulated load adapter  1650  may comprise a motor control circuit on a circuit board with at least a processor, memory and a motor controller for controlling the load motors  1652 ,  1654 , for example. The motor control circuit may be embodied as one integrated circuit (e.g., a SOC) or a number of discrete integrated circuits or other circuitry. The motor control circuit may control the motors  1652 ,  1654  to apply an opposing force, under varying load conditions, to the rotary drive systems of the handle module  1602 . The power drawn by the rotary drive systems of the handle module  1602  to resist and/or overcome the opposing forces can be monitored by the inspection station  1600  to determine whether the handle module motor(s) and rotary drive systems are functioning properly. In various instances, the first motor  1652  of the simulated load adapter  1650  can be driven in one direction and the drive motor of the handle module  1602  can drive the first coupler  1656  in an opposite direction. If the drive motor of the handle module  1602  is unable to resist or overcome the simulated load applied by the first motor  1652  of the simulated load adapter  1650 , then the simulated load adapter  1650  can instruct the handle module  1602  that the handle module  1602  cannot perform as required. In various instances, the second motor  1654  of the simulated load adapter  1650  can be driven in one direction and the drive motor of the handle module  1602  can drive the second coupler  1658  in an opposite direction. If the drive motor of the handle module  1602  is unable to resist or overcome the simulated load applied by the second motor  1654  of the simulated load adapter  1650 , then the simulated load adapter  1650  can instruct the handle module  1602  that the handle module  1602  cannot perform as required. Such an assessment can constitute one facet of the overall assessment of whether the handle module  1602  is suitable for another procedure. 
     In various instances, further to the above, the simulated load adapter motor control circuit can vary the load imparted by the simulated load adapter motors  1652 ,  1654  on the rotary drive systems of the handle module  1600  from (relatively) low to (relatively) high in a way that simulates the load that the handle module rotary drive systems are expected to experience during a surgical procedure. In at least one instance, the motor control circuit can be programmed so that it can vary the load profiles of the motors  1652 ,  1654  based on the type of DSM to be used in an upcoming procedure. For example, using the user interface  1672  (e.g., the buttons  1670  and/or a touch screen of the interface  1672 ), the user could specify the desired simulated load conditions, such as selecting a pre-programmed simulated load condition corresponding to the different available DSMs, for example. The simulated load adapter  1650  may have a data contact terminal  1674  that mates with the data connection terminal of the handle module  1602 . In such a manner, the user&#39;s load profile selection can be uploaded from the inspection station processor, to the handle module processor, and to the motor control circuit of the load simulator  1650 . In real-time and/or after the simulation, the motor control circuit can download to the handle module processor and/or the inspection station processor time-stamped power readings for the power (e.g., volt-amps) supplied to the load simulator motors  1652 ,  1654  during the simulation. The inspection station processor and/or the handle module processor can correlate these readings to time-stamped readings for the power drawn by the handle module motor(s) to evaluate the efficacy of the handle module motor(s) and rotary drive systems. 
     The simulated load adapter  1650  may be powered by the inspection station  1600 , for example. As shown in the example of  FIG. 26B , electrical power from the inspection station  1600  could be supplied to the simulated load adapter  1650  via the handle module  1602  and the electrical contact board  1674 . In the example of  FIG. 26C , a separate power cord  1680  extending from the inspection station  1600  to the simulated load adapter  1650  can supply electrical power directly to the load simulator adapter  1650 , bypassing the handle module  1602 . In another arrangement, the load simulation adapter  1650  could have its own connection to an AC power source and/or its own battery power supply. In various instances, the cord  1680  can also place the load simulator  1650  in direct signal communication with the inspection station  1600 . 
     The simulated load adapter  1650  could also be used to monitor backlash in the handle module gears that are part of the rotary drive systems. When the simulated load adapter  1650  is in a backlash detection mode, the simulated load adapter motor control circuit can cause one or both of the simulated load motors  1652 ,  1654  to rotate, and the processors of either the inspection system  1600  and/or the handle module  1602  can track the rotations by the corresponding rotary drive systems of the handle module  1602 . The difference in rotation between the simulated load adaptor motors  1652 ,  1654  and the rotary drive systems of the handle module  1602  is an indication of the backlash in the respective rotary drive systems of the handle module  1602 , which can diminish the life of the handle module. In other words, an increase in backlash can decrease the number of uses remaining for the handle module  1602 . Accordingly, at each inspection of a handle module  1602 , the inspection station  1600  and the load simulator  1650  can check the handle module&#39;s backlash and write the result to the handle module&#39;s memory. The handle module memory can store and time-stamp the backlash readings. The handle processor and/or the inspection station processor can determine a revised end-of-life threshold for the handle module, in terms of firings, for example, based on a model for the effect of backlash on the number of remaining uses. A sample model is depicted in  FIG. 26E . Dashed line  1690  shows a threshold limit for backlash as a function of the number of firings of a handle module. Line  1691  depicts the expected backlash for the handle module as a function of use (e.g., firings). In this example, the backlash threshold is reached (lines  1690  and  1691  intersect) at about 500 firings. Since the backlash measurements can be tracked over time (and hence over the number of firings), the handle processor and/or the inspection processor can compare the backlash measurements, indicated by the diamonds  FIG. 26E , to determine that the handle module backlash is trending to reach the threshold at less than 500 firings, in this example about 370 firings. This revised, updated firing threshold could be used in assessing the remaining life of the handle module. For example, if the handle module has been fired 220 times, and its revised end-of-life is 370 firings because of backlash, the processor could determine that the handle module has 150 firings remaining; or if 7 firings per procedure are assumed, then the handle module has 21 procedures remaining. The backlash can be tested for each rotary drive system of the handle module in this manner and the one with the least remaining life can dictate the overall remaining life of the handle module. 
     The above being said, if less backlash than expected is measured, then the firings needed to reach the end-of-life threshold of the handle module can be revised upwardly, or increased. In fact, the end-of-life threshold of a handle module can be increased if any parameter and/or a combination of parameters indicates that the handle module is experiencing less wear than expected, for example. Correspondingly, the end-of-life threshold of a handle module can be decreased if any parameter and/or a combination of parameters indicates that the handle module is experiencing more wear than expected, for example. Moreover, the various parameter thresholds disclosed herein can be fixed or adaptable. A threshold parameter can be adapted based on intrinsic and/or extrinsic information. For instance, the control system of a handle module can evaluate patterns or trends in parameter data and adapt a parameter threshold relative to the pattern or trend. In at least one instance, the control system can establish a baseline from sensed parameter data and establish a parameter threshold relative to that baseline. In some instances, the control system of a handle module can evaluate patterns or trends in the data obtained for a first parameter and adjust the threshold of a second parameter based on the evaluation of the first parameter data. In at least one instance, the control system can establish a baseline from sensed data of a first parameter and establish a threshold for a second parameter relative to that baseline. Moreover, many thresholds are described herein as comprising two ranges, i.e., a first range below the threshold and a second range above the threshold. The threshold itself may be part of the first range or the second range, depending on the circumstances. That said, a threshold, as used herein, may comprise three ranges, i.e., a first range below a minimum value, a second range above a maximum value, and a third range between the minimum value and the maximum value. If the sensed data for a parameter is in the first range, the control system may take a first action and, if the sensed data for the parameter is in the second range, the control system may take a second action, which may or may not be the same as the first action. If the sensed data for the parameter is in the third range, the control system may take a third action, which could include no action at all. The minimum value could be part of the first range or the third range, depending on the circumstances, and the maximum value could be part of the third range or the second range, depending on the circumstances. If data is sensed in a first range, in at least one embodiment, the control system may adapt a threshold in one direction and, if the data is sensed in a second range, the control system may adapt the threshold in the opposite direction while, if the data is sensed in a third range, the control system may not adapt the threshold, for example. 
     In another aspect, as shown in  FIGS. 27A and 27B , the inspection station  1600  could accommodate both a handle module  1602  and one or more DSMs  1680 , for example.  FIG. 27A  illustrates such an inspection station  1600  by itself;  FIG. 27B  shows the inspection station  1600  with both the handle module  1602  and a DSM  1680  connected thereto. The inspection station processor may be in communication with the handle module processor and/or the DSM processor in order to download and upload data and information. As shown in  FIG. 27A , an inspection station  1600  that also supports DSMs may include rotary drives  1682 ,  1684 , configured like the rotary drives  1656 ,  1658  of the handle module  1600 . The inspection station  1600  may actuate the inspection station rotary drives  1682 ,  1684  to test the drive systems of the DSM  1680 . In yet other arrangements, the DSM  1680  may have its own inspection station for performing the various tests and/or data transfers, for example. 
     In view of the above, an inspection station  1600  could be used to perform a number of pre-procedure and/or post-procedure instrument processing tasks for a handle module and/or a DSM, such as, for example:
         Determine and display a device ID (e.g., serial number) and/or model, and the state of the device (e.g., end-of-life, locked out, etc.);   Read/download data from the memory of the handle module  1602 , such as the number of firings/cycles, performance parameters, handle and/or DSM software versions;   Based on the device identification, set and upload the operation instructions and criteria for the handle module and/or DSM, which the inspection station can retrieve from memory based on the device ID;   Perform various electronic tests, such as modular connection integrity tests, memory version tests, system electronic checks, transfer rate (read/write) checks, scheduled maintenance checks, warranty expiration checks, end-of-life checks, system lockout checks, and/or internal battery life conditioning tests;   Perform various physical tests, such motor performance tests (with and/or without simulated loads as described above), seal integrity tests, etc.;   Performance testing, such as comparing actual data from a procedure (downloaded from the handle module and/or DSM memory) to expected procedure data;   Reset lockouts in the handle module where necessary;   Dry the device;   Inform users (e.g., via the display) that the device (handle module and/or DSM) is or is not suitable for continued use;   Upgrade software of the handle module and/or DSM;   Write test results to the handle module memory and/or DSM memory; and/or   Transmit handle and/or DSM performance and usage data to a remote computer system, via a USB or wireless (e.g., WiFi) connection, for example.
 
The inspection station memory may store software and/or firmware that the inspection station processor executes to perform these various functions.
       

     The displays of the inspection station and/or the handle module may also make maintenance and servicing recommendations based on the various usage related data for the handle module. Based on usage data such as the number of procedures, the number of sterilizations, the number and/or intensity of firings, and/or the gear backlash, for example, the inspection station and/or handle module processors can determine whether various maintenance or servicing tasks should be undertaken or recommended with respect to the handle module and/or the DSM, and communicate those recommendations to a user via the displays of either the inspection station and/or the handle module. The maintenance and servicing recommendations could be performed and communicated to the user following a completed procedure, during a procedure, and/or at the beginning of a procedure. 
       FIGS. 28A-28B  are exemplary process flows for making maintenance and/or service recommendations that could be performed by the handle module processor and/or the inspection station processor by executing firmware and/or software in the processors&#39; associated memory.  FIG. 28A  illustrates an exemplary process flow for the inspection station processor  442 . At step  1800 , following a procedure, the handle module is connected to the inspection station (see  FIG. 19A , for example), whereupon usage and performance data from the handle module memory is downloaded to the inspection station. This data may include a count of the number of procedures for the handle module; various ways to count the number of procedures are described herein. The data may also include the number of firings by the handle module, the intensity (e.g., force) for each firing, the firing force differential between the expected firing force and the actual firing force, the (accumulated) energy spent by the handle module over the life of the handle module, and/or the gear backlash, for example. 
     At step  1802 , based on the data, the inspection station processor determines whether service of the handle module is needed. The inspection station processor may parse the usage and performance data multiple ways as programmed to determine if service is needed, and may make one or several service recommendations at step  1804  if it is determined that service is required. The service recommendations could be as extensive as suggesting that the handle module be rebuilt, or as minor as lubricating certain parts, for example. Also, for example, one service check that the inspection station processor may perform at step  1802  is that for every N 1  procedures and/or every S 1  firings, or some combination of procedures and firings (e.g., N 2  procedures and S 2  firings), the handle module should be rebuilt. In such a case, if the inspection station processor determines that any of those thresholds has been met, at step  1804  the inspection station processor may control the inspection station display to show that the handle module should be rebuilt. Another service check that the inspection station processor may perform at step  1802  is that at every S 3  firings, the rotary drive systems&#39; gears should be lubricated. Other service checks that the inspection station can perform and recommend if appropriate include: electrical integrity checks for electrical contacts of the handle module; testing of the communication system; extended diagnostics of electronics of the handle module (e.g., RAM and/or ROM integrity, processor operation, idle and operating current draw, operating temperatures of selected components, etc.); operation of indicators, displays and sensors; and/or battery issues, such as cycling, balancing and/or testing, for example. Service checks can be performed on a battery to evaluate the condition of the battery. For instance, the inspection station can assess whether the battery is nearing the end of its life, if rechargeable, or nearing a threshold for less than one firing remaining for a disposable battery, for example. Yet other services checks include firing the device (in a diagnostics mode or other mode that permits firing without a DSM or cartridge) to monitor abnormalities in a motor parameter (such as voltage or current, etc.). A damaged gear can cause a change in motor load, detectable through the monitored motor parameters, that can indicate an internal problem requiring replacement. Also, a generally higher motor load can indicate a need for cleaning or lubrication, or damage within the device. 
     At step  1806  the inspection station processor may determine whether any components of the handle module need to be checked. As before, the inspection station processor may parse the usage and performance data multiple ways as programmed to determine if the checking of various handle module components is needed, and may make one or several component check recommendations at step  1808  if it is determined that component checking is required. For example, if the inspection station processor determines that the gear backlash is beyond a pre-established threshold at step  1806 , the inspection station processor may display a suggestion at step  1808  that the gears of the rotary drive systems should be checked. Also, if the inspection station processor determines that the accumulated energy spent by the handle module is beyond a pre-established threshold at step  1806 , the inspection station processor may display a suggestion at step  1808  that the motor(s) and/or the gears of the rotary drive systems should be checked. Similarly, if the inspection station processor determines that a threshold number of firings (in the most-recently completed procedure and/or during the life of the handle module) exceed a pre-established intensity threshold (e.g., force or electric power) at step  1806 , the inspection station processor may display a suggestion at step  1808  that the motor(s) and/or the gears of the rotary drive systems should be checked. The inspection station processor, via the display, could also recommend that the DSM be checked in various embodiments. For example, if the inspection station processor determines that a threshold number of firings in the most-recently completed procedure exceed a pre-established intensity threshold at step  1806 , the inspection station processor may display a suggestion at step  1808  that the sharpness of the cutting instrument in the end effector should be checked, since a dull cutting instrument may necessitate greater force to execute a cutting stroke. 
     The handle module processor may also make service and/or component checking determinations and recommendations.  FIG. 28B  illustrates an exemplary process flow for the handle module processor  2124 . The process of  FIG. 28B  is similar to that of  FIG. 28A , except that, at step  1801 , the handle module processor stores usage and performance data from its procedures and post-procedure processing so that it can make the determinations at step  1802  and  1806  about whether service and/or component checking is required. The recommendations and suggestions displayed at steps  1804  and  1808  may be on the handle module&#39;s display and/or, in the case when the handle module is connected to the inspection station and there is a data connection therebetween, the handle module processor may communicate the recommendations to the inspection station processor so that the inspection station display can display the recommendations, in lieu of or in addition to displaying them on the handle module display. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 27A and 27B , a DSM  1680  could also be connected to an inspection station  1600 . In such an arrangement, the DSM processor and/or the inspection station processor may make service and component checking determinations and recommendations based on usage and performance data stored in the DSM memory. 
     To that end,  FIG. 35  is a flow chart illustrating steps that can be performed with the inspection stations described herein. At step  2200 , a clinician performs a surgical procedure with the surgical instrument comprising the handle module and one of the DSMs. As described herein, the handle module memory can store usage and procedure data from throughout the procedure, such as motor energy and power levels, motor torque, and/or time stamps for actuation of various triggers, for example. Following the procedure, at step  2202 , the clinician can disconnect the DSM from the handle module and remove the removable battery pack so that the handle module can be prepared for use in a subsequent procedure by, at step  2204 , connecting the handle module to the inspection station as shown herein, for example. At step  2206 , the inspection station can download (or read) the procedure and usage data from the memory of the handle module. The inspection station can also download the identification data for the handle module, which the inspection station processor can use to determine the handle module type and/or configuration at step  2208 , which the inspection station can display on its display. 
     At step  2210 , the inspection station can set the inspection programs and inspection criteria for the handle module based on its type and configuration. For example, the inspection station memory may store the inspection programs that should be performed for each handle module type and configuration, as well as the criteria for the inspections. Based on the handle module type and configuration ID resolved by the inspection station at step  2208 , the inspection station can call and/or set the appropriate inspection programs and inspection criteria to be used for the handle module. For example, at step  2212 , the inspection module can dry components of the handle module, such as described herein in conjunction with  FIGS. 25A-25E , for example. Also, at step  2214  the seal integrity tests can be performed, such as described herein in conjunction with  FIGS. 24A-24B , for example. At step  2216 , electronic integrity tests for the handle module can be performed. These tests can include testing that electrical connections exist between the appropriate components, and for data processing components of the handle module, that the protocols and connections for transmitting data are functioning. At step  2218 , functional and/or physical tests of the handle module can be performed. For example, the motor(s) and/or the rotary drive systems can be tested (e.g., driven) to make sure that they are functioning properly. At step  2220 , the handle module lockouts that need to be reset following a procedure can be reset. At step  2222 , further necessary conditioning for the handle module can be performed. This conditioning can include any other conditioning necessary to prepare the handle module for a subsequent surgical procedure, and/or performance of any service recommendations identified by the inspection station. At step  2224 , the handle module can be released from the inspection station, whereupon it can be used in a subsequent surgical procedure (or sterilized before using in a subsequent procedure). The inspection station may “release” the handle module by indicating on the display of the inspection station that it can be removed, for example. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 27A and 27B , a DSM could also be connected to such an inspection station following its use in a surgical procedure in order to inspect the DSM. A similar process to that illustrated in  FIG. 35  can be used for the DSM connected to the inspection station to prepare the DSM for a subsequent procedure. 
     Various steps illustrated in  FIG. 35  can be performed in different orders or simultaneously and the steps illustrated in  FIG. 35  do not necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated in  FIG. 35 , although they could be. For example, the electronic integrity tests (step  2216 ) could be performed before the seal integrity test (step  2214 ), etc. 
       FIGS. 36 and 37  are flow charts illustrating exemplary steps involved in sterilizing a handle module and tracking the number of times it is used/sterilized. In  FIG. 36 , the process starts at step  2300  where the handle module (and a DSM) are used in a surgical procedure. After the procedure, at step  2302 , a post-op clean-up of the handle module can be performed, which can entail a manual wipe down of the handle module, for example. Thereafter, at step  2304 , the handle module can be decontaminated, such as with an auto-washer, for example. At step  2306 , the handle module can be dried in a clean room, using heat and/or air, for example. At step  2308 , the handle module can be connected to an inspection station, such as the inspection stations described herein in connection with  FIGS. 12A-12C, 19A, 25A-25E, 26A-26C , and/or  27 A- 27 B, for example. 
     At step  2310 , the inspection station can query or interrogate the handle module to determine if the sterilization switch (e.g., switch  344 , see  FIGS. 11E-11I ) was activated or otherwise in the state that indicates its prior placement in a sterilization tray, such as shown above in  FIGS. 11E-11I . If the sterilization tray switch is in the triggered or actuated state, at step  2311  the sterilization count is increased and the switch state reset. Then, at step  2312 , the inspection station can determine whether the threshold sterilization count for the handle module has been reached, as described herein. If the sterilization count has been reached, at step  2314 , any of the herein-described end-of-life actions for the handle module can be taken. 
     Conversely, if the threshold has not yet been reached, the process can advance to step  2316  where the handle module is prepared for sterilization, such as by placing the handle module in its corresponding sterilization tray (see  FIGS. 11E-11I , for example) and/or placing the sterilization covers on it (see  FIGS. 20A-20D , for example), which in either case can activate the sterilization trigger at step  2318 . The handle module can be sterilized at step  2320 , whereupon it can be stored and subsequently transported to an operating room at step  2322  for use in a subsequent procedure at step  2300 . 
     Returning to step  2310 , if the sterilization trigger is not activated or its status changed, the handle module may have to be physically inspected at step  2324 . 
     The exemplary process flow of  FIG. 37  is similar to that of  FIG. 36 , except that following the procedure at step  2300 , the handle module can be powered back on to determine if its sterilization state flag (set by handle module processor when the switch  344  is activated, see  FIGS. 11E-11I ) is set at step  2310 . If so, at step  2311  the sterilization count can be updated and the sterilization state reset. 
     As mentioned above, the handle module battery pack may be removed from the handle module following a surgical procedure so that it can be used in the same or another, similarly-configured handle module in a subsequent procedure, typically after recharging.  FIGS. 29A-D  illustrate a charging station  1700  for recharging battery packs  1702 . The battery packs  1702  are inserted into receptacles  1704  defined in the charging station  1700 , shown in the side-views of  FIGS. 29B and 29C , such that, when the battery packs  1702  are inserted, their respective power terminals  1706  contact corresponding charge terminals  1708  at the bottom of the receptacles  1704  to charge the respective battery packs  1702 . The illustrated charging station  1700  can simultaneously charge two battery packs, although in other arrangements a charging station could have receptacles for storing and charging more or fewer battery packs. 
     The charging station  1700  may include a display  1709  that displays the status of the battery packs  1702  in terms of the charging process, such as currently charging or charged/ready to use, for example. For battery packs currently charging, the display may show how far along the charging process is and/or how far there is to go. Text and/or graphics may be used to indicate the charging status, such as a volume and/or other type of fractional indicator that indicates how charged the battery pack is (e.g., 40% charged, 50% charged, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 29B and 29C , the receptacle  1704  may be sized so that the end portion of the battery pack  1702  that is inserted into the receptacle fits in easily (e.g., a zero insertion force connection). The charging station  1700  may include means for detecting when the battery pack  1702  is inserted into the receptacle. For example, as shown in the block diagram of  FIG. 29D , the charging station  1700  may include a pressure switch  1720 , in communication with the charging station processor  1722 , at the bottom of the receptacle  1704  that is actuated when the battery pack  1702  is inserted. Additionally or alternatively, the charging station processor  1722  may detect the insertion of a battery back  1702  when a charging station data terminal  1712  makes a data connection with the battery pack data terminal  1710 . In any case, when the battery pack  1702  is inserted into the receptacle  1704  of the charging station  1700  for charging, the charging station  1700  may temporarily secure the battery pack  1702  to the charging station  1700  so that the battery pack  1702  cannot be removed prematurely (e.g., prior to charging and/or a complete charging). In one arrangement, as shown in  FIGS. 29B and 29C , this is accomplished by a screw  1724  at the bottom of the receptacle  1704  of the charging station  1700  that automatically screws into a corresponding opening  1726  in the bottom of the battery pack  1702  that is sized and threaded for receiving the screw  1724 . 
       FIG. 29D  is a simplified block diagram of the charging station  1700  and a battery pack  1702  according to various arrangements. Assuming the charging station  1700  is powered by an AC power source, the charging station  1700  may include an AC/DC converter  1730  to convert the AC voltage into DC voltage and a voltage regulator  1732  for converting the DC voltage to the desired charging voltage and/or current for charging the battery cells  1734  of the battery pack  1702 . The charging station  1700  may include a charging controller circuit  1736  for controlling the voltage regulator  1732  based on sensed parameters of the charging operation, such as current, voltage and/or temperature, which can be sensed by the sensing circuit  1738  of the charging station  1700 . For example, when charging a battery pack  1702  under normal charging conditions, the charging controller circuit  1736  may control the voltage regulator  1732  to charge at a constant current until the Li-ion or LiPo battery cells  1734  reach a specified voltage per cell (Vpc). Then the charging controller circuit  1736  can hold the cells at that Vpc until the charge current drops to X % of the initial charge rate (e.g., 10%), at which point the charging process can terminate. Other charging regimens, appropriate to the battery technology, can be performed. 
     The pressure switch  1720  may detect the insertion of the battery pack  1702  into the receptacle  1704  of the charging station  1700  and, when activated, send a signal to the charging station processor  1722 . The charging station processor  1722  may send in response a control signal to a connection actuator  1740 , such as a linear actuator, that drives the screw  1724  into the battery pack screw opening  1726 . The connection actuator  1740  may be powered by a second voltage regulator  1742  that can power, in addition to the connection actuator  1740 , the other electronic components of the charging station  1700 . 
     Further to the above, the battery pack  1702  may include a data terminal  1710  that, when the battery pack  1702  is inserted into the receptacle  1704 , mates with a corresponding data terminal  1712  of the charging station  1700 . The charging station processor  1722  may have internal or external memory  1744  that stores firmware and/or software to be executed by the charging station processor  1722 . By executing the firmware and/or software, the charging station processor  1722  can (i) control the display  1709 , (ii) control aspects of the battery cell charging process by communicating with the charging controller  1736 , and/or (iii) exchange data with the battery pack processor  1750  via the data terminals  1710 ,  1712 . As described herein, the battery pack electronics may also include memory  1752  that stores firmware and/or software to be executed by the battery pack processor  1750 , such as a battery management system (BMS). The battery pack  1702  may also comprise sensors  1754  for sensing conditions related to the battery pack  1702 , such as moisture and/or humidity, for example, as described above. The data terminal  1712  of the charging station  1700  may also supply low-level power to the battery pack processor  1750 . The charging station  1700  may also include a wireless module  1755  in communication with the processor  1722  that can communicate with remote devices via wireless communication links (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE, etc.). As such, the charging station  1700  could communicate wirelessly to remote computing systems (e.g., servers, desktops, tablet computer, laptops, smartphones, etc.) the charge status and other data regarding the battery packs  1702  installed in the charging station  1700  (e.g., impending end-of-life, temperature). The charging station could also include a port for a wired connection (e.g., USB-type port) so that charge status and other data regarding the battery packs  1702  can be downloaded from the charging station  1700  to the connected device. That way, the surgical staff and/or the battery pack supplier can receive such information. 
     In one aspect, to extend battery run time as well as battery life, for example, the battery cells comprising the battery pack  1702  may be rebalanced from time to time during the life of the battery pack  1702 .  FIG. 29E  is a diagram of a process flow that can be performed by the charging station processor  1722  (by executing firmware/software stored in the memory  1744 ) to rebalance the battery cells. At step  1760 , the charging station processor  1722  can detect the insertion of a battery pack  1702  into the inspection station  1700  for charging based on, for example, the signal from the pressure switch  1720  in the receptacle  1704  and/or by some other suitable means. At step  1762 , the charging station processor  1722  can actuate the connection actuator  1740  to temporarily secure the battery pack  1702  to the charging station  1700  during the charging (and/or discharging) session. At step  1764 , the charging station processor  1722  can exchange data with the battery pack processor  1750 . Among other things, the battery pack processor  1750  can exchange a log of the times the battery pack  1702  has been charged and the times that its cells were balanced. At step  1765 , the charging station  1700  can quickly top-off the charge of the battery cells in case the battery pack is needed before a complete charging or discharging cycle can be performed. The top-off charge at step  1765  could be, for example, to merely charge the battery cells at a constant current to bring them to the specified Vpc level or a fraction thereof. At step  1766 , the charging station processor  1722  can determine whether the battery cells should be balanced again. In various aspects, the cells may be balanced every Ntimes they are charged, where N is an integer greater than or equal to one, and preferably greater than one. If it is not time to rebalance the cells, the process advances to step  1768  where the battery cells are recharged and at step  1770  released for use, such as by de-actuating the connection actuator  1740  so that the battery pack  1702  can be removed from the receptacle. On the other hand, at step  1766 , if it is determined that the battery cells need to be rebalanced, the process can advance to step  1772  where the cells are discharged before being charged at step  1768 . The cells may be discharged at step  1772  to a suitable (low) voltage level 
     As shown in  FIG. 29A , the charging station  1700  may include an emergency release button  1780  for each battery pack charging receptacle, or just one emergency release button  1780  that releases only the battery pack  1702  that presently has the most charge (and thus most suitable for emergency use). In various aspects, the charging station processor  1722  may initiate one or many actions when the emergency release button  1780  is depressed for a particular battery pack  1702  when charging of that battery pack is in process. For example, the charging station processor  1722  can signal the connection actuator  1740  to unscrew the battery pack  1702  so that it can be removed. Also, before such mechanical release of the battery pack  1702 , the charging station processor  1722  can instruct the charging controller to take action to expedite rapid charging of the battery pack  1702 . For example, the charging station processor  1722  can instruct the charging controller  1736  to use a charging profile that more rapidly charges the battery cells  1734  for a brief time period, even though such rapid, short-term charging may not fully charge the battery cells to their capacity or promote longevity of the battery cells. Common charge profile stages for charging Li-ion battery cells include (i) trickle charge, (ii) constant current charge, and (iii) constant voltage charge. The charging controller circuit  1736  can switch to one of these profiles (e.g., constant current charge) in the short duration to provide the battery pack  1702  with as much additional charge as possible in the short time period. Also, the charging station processor  1722  can coordinate increasing the charging voltage available for charging the battery cells by making other power sources available for charging, such as from other receptacles and/or charge storing devices (e.g., supercapacitors or battery cells) in the charging station  1700 . Data about such charging procedures can also be logged in the battery pack memory. 
       FIG. 30A  illustrates another exemplary charging/discharging determination process that the charging station processor  1722  may undertake, in addition to or in lieu of the process shown in  FIG. 29E . The process of  FIG. 30A  recognizes that discharging of surgical instrument battery packs often is beneficial to their longevity, but that the battery packs should not be discharged if there is insufficient time to discharge them before they will be needed in a surgical procedure. The process of  FIG. 30A  starts at step  1780  where a “first” rechargeable battery pack is inserted into one of the charging receptacles  1704  of the charging station  1700 . At step  1782 , battery pack usage data from the first battery pack is downloaded to the charging station memory, which may include the current remaining battery capacity. Although not shown in  FIG. 30A , the first battery pack could also be secured to the charging station when it is inserted (see  FIGS. 29B-29C , for example). At step  1784 , the charging station  1700  may immediately charge the first battery pack in case it might be needed in a currently ongoing or imminent procedure. At step  1786 , data about the charging of the first battery pack at step  1784  is written to the memory of the first battery pack. This data can include, for example, time stamps for the beginning and ending of the charging step, as well as the starting and ending battery capacity. 
     At step  1788 , the charging station processor checks the charging/discharging log for the first battery pack and, if the first battery pack was fully discharged since the last procedure, the process advances to step  1790  where the first battery pack is ready for use in a procedure. At this step, the charging station display may indicate that the first battery pack is ready for use. On the other hand, if at step  1788  it is determined that the first battery pack has not been fully discharged since its last procedure, the process may advance to step  1792  where the charging station processor can determine if there is at least one other fully charged battery pack in its charging receptacles. If so, at step  1794  the first battery pack can be fully discharged to prolong its longevity and because there is another fully charged battery pack ready for use if needed. Once the discharge of the first battery pack is complete, at step  1796  the discharging data (e.g., beginning and ending time-stamps, beginning and end capacities) can be written to the first battery pack memory so that the evaluation at step  1788  can be performed. Thereafter, the process can advance to step  1784  where the battery cells of the first battery pack are recharged, and the process repeats. If the first battery pack was discharged at step  1794  since the last procedure, from step  1788  the process will advance to step  1790  because another discharge of the battery cells is not required. 
     Modifications to the process of  FIG. 30A  can be made. For example, the initial charging step  1784  could be eliminated and/or moved between steps  1788  and  1790  and/or between steps  1792  and  1790 , for example. 
       FIG. 30B  illustrates another exemplary charging/discharging determination process that the charging station processor  1722  may undertake. The process of  FIG. 30B  is similar to that of  FIG. 30A , except that at step  1783 , following step  1782 , the charging station  1700  can perform a quick charge top-off of the battery pack (e.g., short charge to less than full capacity) and record data about the top-off charging in the battery pack memory. Then at step  1788 , as in  FIG. 30A , the charging station processor can determine if the battery pack was discharged fully since the last procedure and, if so, at step  1789 , then perform a full charging of the battery pack, at which point the battery pack is ready for use (block  1790 ). On the other hand, at step  1788 , if the charging station processor determines that the battery pack was not fully discharged since the last procedure, the process can advance to step  1792  where the charging station determines if another battery pack is currently inserted in one of its receptacles  1704  is ready for use (e.g., adequately or fully charged). If not, the first battery pack can be fully charged at step  1789 . However, if another battery pack is adequately or fully charged and ready for use, at step  1794  the first battery pack can be discharged (with data about the discharge being stored in the battery pack memory). After full discharge, the process can advance to step  1789  so that the first battery pack can then be charged. 
     In various embodiments, the charging station processor  1722  can monitor and store the times at which the various battery cells are inserted into it, as indications of when procedures are being performed by the hospital or surgical unit in which the charging station is located. The charging station processor  1722  can be programmed to determine times of the day when the hospital or surgical unit is typically performing procedures involving instruments that utilize such battery packs and when it is not. In particular, the charging station processor  1722  can determine a statistical likelihood that the hospital or surgical unit is performing a procedure involving instruments that utilize such battery packs for non-overlapping time increments that span a 24-hour period, such as one-hour increments, for example. Thus, for the full charging of the battery packs (e.g., at step  1789  of  FIG. 30B ), the charging station can commence such full charging steps at times when there is a low likelihood of an ongoing procedure, especially in instances where there is an already another fully charged battery pack ready for use. That is, for example, in  FIG. 30B , the full charging at step  1789  following discharging at step  1792  need not immediately follow the discharging at step  1792  but could instead be scheduled for a time that there is a low likelihood of an ongoing procedure, as determined and scheduled by the charging station processor  1722 . Further, the personnel at the hospital or surgical unit can input to the charging station  1700 , via the user interface  1709 , for example, data about when procedures are to be performed and/or the types of procedures (or the amount of charge needed for the procedures) that are to be performed. This data can be stored in the charging station memory  1744  and used by the charging station processor  1722  to determine when to charge the battery packs. 
     In a system that charges and discharges batteries, there can be a significant amount of energy wasted in dumping the power from the cell(s) under maintenance in the form of heat because typically the charge on a battery cell to be discharged is drained through a resistive load. Accordingly, the charging station may include fans and/or heat sinks to help dissipate heat. In other aspects, the charging station may use the charge on a cell to be discharged to charge another cell in the charging station or store it in another charge storing device.  FIG. 31  is a simplified diagram of a circuit  1900  for discharging battery cells in such a manner. When charging the “first” battery cell  1902 , the power source/voltage regulator  1904  is connected to the first battery cell  1902  by closing switch S 1 , with all other switches (S 2 , S 3 , S 4  and S 5 ) being open. To discharge the first battery cell  1902  through the resistor  1906 , switches S 2  and S 3  are closed and switches S 1 , S 4  and S 5  are open. The diode  1903  controls the direction in which current flows from the first battery cell  1902 . To discharge the first battery cell  1902  to the energy storage device  1908  (e.g., supercapacitor or another battery cell internal to the charging station and not ordinarily for use in a surgical instrument), switch S 2  is closed and the rest of the switches S 1 , S 3 , S 4  and S 5  are open. The diode  1903  controls the direction in which current flows to the energy storage device  1908 . To charge the first battery cell  1902  with the charge on the energy storage device  1908 , switch  55  is closed and the rest of the switches S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , and S 4  are open. The diode  1905  controls the direction in which current flows to the first battery cell  1902 . To charge another battery cell  1910  with the first battery cell  1902 , switches S 2  and S 4  are closed and switches S 1 , S 3  and S 5  are open. The switches S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , S 4  and S 5  can be controlled by the charging station processor  1722  and/or the charging controller  1736 . 
       FIG. 32  shows a circuit for charging and discharging the first battery pack  1902  that is similar to that of  FIG. 31 , except that the configuration of  FIG. 32  includes a set of battery cells  1920  that can be used to charge the first battery cell  1902 . In the illustrated arrangement, the set  1920  includes three battery cells  1922 ,  1924 ,  1926 , although in other arrangements the set  1920  may include more or less battery cells. The battery cells  1922 ,  1924 , and  1926  in the set  1920  may be internal battery cells of the charging station and/or other battery packs inserted into the charging station. The cells  1922 ,  1924 ,  1926  in the set  1920  may be used, for example, to rapidly charge the first battery pack  1902 , such as in a situation where a replacement battery pack is needed in an ongoing procedure. In the illustrated arrangement, the cells  1922 ,  1924 ,  1926  in the set  1920  may be connected in series or in parallel to provide increased voltage (when connected in series) or increased current (when connected in parallel). To connect the cells  1922 ,  1924 ,  1926  in series, the switches S 7  are closed and the switches S 6  are open. To connect the cells  1922 ,  1924 ,  1926  in parallel, the switches S 6  are closed and the switches S 7  are open. Each cell may have an associated resistor R 1 , R 2 , R 3  respectively, for example, to provide a current source when connected in parallel. 
     In one aspect, referring back to  FIG. 29A , if a clinician is in the midst of a procedure and needs a new battery pack to complete the procedure, the clinician (or his/her assistant) can select and remove from the charging station  1700  one of the battery packs that is fully charged and ready for use, which may be indicated on the display  1709  of the charging station  1700 . If none of the battery packs  1702  is indicated as ready for use, the clinician can press the emergency release button  1780 , for example, which may release the battery pack  1702  currently in the charging station  1700  that has the most charge at the moment, as determined by the charging controller  1736  and/or the charging station processor  1722 , so that the partially-charged battery pack can be inserted into the handle module currently being used in the procedure. The charging station  1700  may also include visual indicators to indicate which battery pack  1702  is being released in the emergency so that it is clear which battery pack should be removed from the charging station for insertion into the surgical instrument. For charging stations  1700  that include means for securing the battery pack  1702  to the charging station  1700  during charging, such as the screw  1724  in the arrangement of  FIGS. 29A-29C , activation of the emergency release button  1780  can cause the connection means to disconnect (or unsecure) the appropriate battery pack  1702 , as described herein. At about the same time, the charging station  1722  can take steps to rapidly charge the selected battery pack  1702  for a short time period, preferably to give it at least enough charge to complete one or a couple of firings. As described herein, the charging station processor  1722  may, in conjunction with the charging controller circuit  1736 , change the charging profile (e.g., constant current or constant voltage charge), charge the battery pack with a supercapacitor(s)  1908 , and/or charge the battery pack with one or more other battery cells (which could be connected in series or in parallel, as described herein). In various arrangements, the battery pack  1702  is not released (e.g., by disconnecting the screw  1724 ) until the short-term charging charges the battery pack  1702  to a charge level to a threshold charge that is sufficient to complete one or a couple of firings. 
     In various aspects, the charging station may also be configured to ease the proper placement of the battery packs into the charging station for charging and/or to enhance the engagement between the electrical contacts between the battery pack and the charge terminals of the charging station to thereby increase the efficiency of the charging process. For example, the wells (or receptacles) in the charging station can have multiple sets of terminals so that no matter which way the battery pack is inserted into the well/receptacle, the battery pack&#39;s charging terminals contact one set of charging terminals of the charging station.  FIGS. 33A and 33B  illustrate top views of a battery pack  2000  and a charging station  2002 , respectively, wherein the battery pack  2000  has a square cross-sectional shape and the wells/receptacles  2004  of the charging station  2002  are sized to the receive such a square-cross-sectional battery pack  2000 . The illustrated charging station  2002  has two wells/receptacles  2004 , but in other arrangements the charging station  2002  can have one well/receptacle or more than two wells/receptacles. As shown in  FIG. 33A , the battery pack  2000  has a positive terminal  2006  and a negative terminal  2008  that the charging station terminals contact in order to charge the battery packs. In the illustrated arrangement, the terminals  2006 ,  2008  are not centered on the top of the battery pack  2000 . Because such a battery pack  2000  could be inserted into one of square-shaped wells/receptacles  2004  in one of four configurations (each 90 degree turn, and assuming the side of the battery pack  2000  with the terminals  2006 - 2008  is always face-down), each well/receptacle can have four pairs of charging terminals  2010  positioned in it so that, no matter which way the battery pack  2000  is turned when it is inserted into the well/receptacle  2004 , the off-center battery pack terminals  2006 - 2008  will make contact with one of the charging station terminal pairs  2010 . Each charging station terminal pair  2010  is connected to the charging circuitry of the charging station, but only the one pair  2010  that contacts the battery pack terminals  2006 - 2008  will have a completed circuit so that charging current can flow to the battery pack  2000 . In another arrangement, as shown in  FIGS. 34A and 34B , one of the battery pack terminals could be in the center of the battery pack  2000 . In the illustrated case, the negative terminal  2008  is in the center with the positive terminal  2006  to one side; however, the opposite arrangement could be utilized in another embodiment. The wells/receptacle of the charging station could correspondingly have one terminal  2014  in the center for contacting the negative terminal  2008  of the battery pack  2000 , and four terminals  2016  on each side of the center terminal  2014  for contacting the positive terminal  2006  no matter which way the battery pack  2000  is inserted into the well/receptacle. For battery packs that have other geometries, there may need to be a fewer or greater number of terminal pairs in the well/receptacles (such as two pairs for a rectangular battery pack). 
     As discussed above, a surgical instrument can include a battery assembly capable of being attached to and/or detached from the surgical instrument. Such handling of the battery assembly can increase the chances of damaging the battery assembly. For example, the battery assembly may be inadvertently dropped while assembling the battery assembly to the surgical instrument and/or transporting the battery assembly to a charging station. Discussed in greater detail further below, the battery assembly can be configured to protect the housing, battery cells, and/or power supply circuit of the battery assembly in the event that the battery assembly is inadvertently dropped. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 38 , a battery assembly, such as battery assembly  5000 , for example, can comprise a battery housing  5010  and a plurality of internal components  5030  including at least one battery cell  5031  and/or a power supply circuit positioned within the battery housing  5010 . The at least one battery cell  5031  may comprise a lithium-ion battery, for example. The battery assembly  5000  also comprises one or more electrical contacts  5011  configured to transmit electrical energy provided by the at least one battery cell  5031  to the surgical instrument. The battery assembly  5000  further comprises one or more alignment features  5012  configured to assist a user in properly assembling the battery assembly  5000  to the surgical instrument. The alignment features  5012  comprise slots, for example, which are alignable with projections extending from the surgical instrument. The alignment features  5012  are symmetrically arranged around the perimeter of the battery housing  5010 . Although not illustrated, other embodiments are envisioned in which the alignment features  5012  comprise a non-symmetrical configuration permitting the battery assembly  5000  to be attached to the surgical instrument in only one orientation. The battery assembly  5000  further comprises a lock mechanism  5040  configured to secure the battery assembly  5000  to the surgical instrument during use. When the battery assembly  5000  is attached the surgical instrument, the battery assembly  5000  can transmit electrical energy to electrical receiving contacts of the surgical instrument. 
     The battery housing  5010  can act as a container configured to house the internal components  5030  and/or act as a support structure configured to support various components thereon. Functioning as a container and/or a support structure, the battery housing  5010  may be rigid in order to support the internal components  5030  positioned therein. The battery housing  5010  may be comprised of a plastic material, for example. In certain instances, the inner housing  5010  is comprised of an elastomeric material, for example. Referring again to  FIG. 38 , the battery housing  5010  comprises a top face, a bottom face  5016 , a plurality of lateral faces  5015 , and a plurality of corners  5014 . The bottom face  5016  can be associated with the electrical contacts  5011 . The lateral faces  5015  and the corners  5014  are configured to surround the internal components  5030 . 
     Various embodiments discussed herein relate to the protection of a battery assembly for use with a surgical instrument. Referring again to  FIG. 38 , the battery assembly  5000  comprises a radial and/or vertical reinforcement configured to protect the battery housing  5010 , the internal components  5030 , and/or the electrical contacts  5011 . The radial and/or vertical reinforcement may comprise a shock absorbing layer, for example. In various instances, the shock absorbing layer may surround the battery housing  5010  in order to absorb an impact force that is applied to a lateral face  5015 , the bottom face  5016 , and/or a corner  5014  of the battery housing  5010 . In addition to or in lieu of the above, a shock absorbing layer is housed within the battery housing  5010 . Also, in addition to or in lieu of the above, the battery assembly  5000  may further comprise an outer housing for added protection. The outer housing can be configured to house the battery housing  5010  and the shock absorbing layer. 
     One means for protecting the battery assembly  5000  is illustrated in detail in  FIG. 38A , for example, comprising a battery housing, or inner housing  5010 , and a shock absorbing layer  5020 . As discussed above, the housing  5010  may be comprised of a rigid material which can support the internal components  5030  of the battery assembly  5000 . The shock absorbing layer  5020  may contain a lattice structure  5022  comprising a plurality of cells  5024 . The cells  5024  can lower the density of the shock absorbing layer  5020 . The cells  5024  can have an open cellular structure and/or a closed cellular structure. Moreover, the lattice structure  5022  can comprise one or more lattice layers. For instance, the lattice structure  5022  can include a first, or inner, lattice layer and a second, or outer, lattice layer. 
     The lattice structure  5022  further comprises a plurality of struts  5025  designed to deflect and/or buckle under pressure. If the battery assembly  5000  is dropped, an impact force is absorbed through the compression of the cells  5024  and the buckling and/or deflection of the struts  5025 . Therefore, the shock absorbing layer  5020  can absorb shock and/or vibrational energy rather than relying on the battery housing  5010  to absorb the energy which could, in some circumstances, result in the damaging of the internal components  5030  of the battery assembly  5000 . In various instances, the shock absorbing layer  5020  may comprise a foam-like structure and/or an elastomeric material, for example. 
     In various instances, referring again to  FIG. 38 , the cells  5024  are arranged in rows, for example, having an inner row of cells  5026 , an intermediate row of cells  5027 , and an outer row of cells  5028 . Each cell of the inner row of cells  5026  can comprise a planar wall  5026   a . The cells  5026  are oriented such that the planar walls  5026   a  of the cells  5026  are at least substantially parallel with a lateral face  5015  of the battery housing  5010 . Each cell of the outer row of cells  5028  can comprise a planar wall  5028   a . The cells  5028  are oriented such that planar walls  5028   a  of the cells  5028  are at least substantially parallel with an outer surface  5029  of the shock absorbing layer  5020 . Orienting the planar walls  5026   a ,  5028   a  of each cell of the inner row  5026  and the outer row  5028  in such a manner can create a more shock resistant shock absorbing layer  5020 . The shock absorbing layer  5020  may comprise corner portions positioned near the corners  5014  of the battery housing  5010  that can absorb an impact force directed to a corner  5014  of the battery housing  5010 . The corner portions  5020  are not connected to one another; however, embodiments are envisioned in which the corner portions  5020  could be connected to one another. 
     In various instances, the battery assembly  5000  comprises a plurality of shock absorbing elements  5020 . The shock absorbing elements  5020  are positioned to protect the corners  5014  of the battery assembly  5000 . In various instances, an impact force may be more concentrated at the corners  5014  which can increase the risk of damaging the battery housing  5010  and/or the internal components  5030 . The shock absorbing elements  5020  comprise end portions  5021  which extend beyond a bottom face  5016  of the battery housing  5010  in order to prevent damage to the electrical contacts  5011 , for example, and to further protect the battery assembly  5000 . If the battery assembly  5000  is dropped in an orientation such that the bottom face  5016  is at least substantially parallel with the ground, one or more of the end portions  5021  can absorb the impact force and dissipate the impact energy. 
     It may be preferred that a battery assembly be useable after experiencing an impact force, such as when the battery assembly  5000  is inadvertently dropped. In such instances, the shock absorbing elements  5020  are configured to allow the battery assembly  5000  to retain the ability to be properly fitted into the battery receiving portion of the surgical instrument and still transmit electrical energy to the electrical receiving contacts of the surgical instrument even though the battery assembly  5000  has been dropped. The shock absorbing elements  5020  may comprise crumple zones configured to deform when an impact force is applied. In at least one instance, a crumple zone may not permanently deform, or at least substantially permanently deform, if the impact force is below a crumple force threshold. In such instances, the crumple zone may permanently deform only if the impact force meets or exceeds the crumple force threshold. The crumple zones may limit the direction of the deformation of the shock absorbing elements  5020  toward the center of the battery assembly  5000 . This inward deformation can preserve the ability of the battery assembly  5000  to fit into the battery receiving portion of the surgical instrument by preventing outward deformation that would cause the battery assembly  5000  to acquire a shape that would not fit into the battery receiving portion of the surgical instrument. 
     In various instances, the shock absorbing elements  5020  may experience an excessive amount of deformation requiring replacement of the shock absorbing elements  5020 . In the event that the shock absorbing elements  5020  need to be replaced, the battery assembly  5000  can be configured so that the user of the surgical instrument can remove the damaged shock absorbing elements from the battery assembly  5000  and then attach useable shock absorbing elements thereto. Discussed in greater detail below, it may be preferred that the shock absorbing elements  5020  can be replaced in a timely fashion. Minimizing the amount of time required to replace the shock absorbing elements  5020  can be important when introducing another task to a surgical operation. 
     Assembling the shock absorbing elements  5020  to the battery assembly  5000  may be necessary when the shock absorbing elements  5020  need to be replaced. In various instances, the shock absorbing elements  5020  comprise one or more protrusions  5023  configured to slide and/or wedge into corresponding slots  5013  in the battery housing  5010 . The slots  5013  are configured to receive the protrusions  5023  of new and/or useable shock absorbing elements in the event that the shock absorbing elements  5020  need to be replaced. In various instances, the protrusions  5023  and the slots  5013  can comprise a press-fit therebetween which can permit the protrusions  5023  to be slid within the slots  5013  along the corners of the housing  5010 . In at least one instance, the protrusions  5023  and the slots  5013  can comprise a wedge-fit therebetween. In various instances, the shock absorbing elements  5020  may be attached to the battery housing  5010  in a snap-fit fashion. In at least one instance, the battery housing  5010  may comprise apertures configured to receive the protrusions  5023  in a snap fit-fashion. In certain instances, the protrusions  5023  can enter into the slots  5013  radially in a snap-fit manner. In addition to or in lieu of the above, the shock absorbing elements  5020  may be attached to the housing  5010  utilizing an adhesive, for example. 
     In various instances, the battery assembly  5000  further comprises a shock absorbing cap  5050 . The shock absorbing cap  5050  is positioned at an outer end  5002  of the battery assembly  5000 . The shock absorbing cap comprises a shoulder  5051  configured to contact the surgical instrument when the battery assembly  5000  is fully seated in the surgical instrument. The shoulder  5051  can act as a stop, for example, and can define the fully seated position of the battery assembly  5000 . In various instances, the shoulder  5051  is configured to abut the shock absorbing elements  5020 . If the battery assembly  5000  is attached to the surgical instrument, the shock absorbing cap  5050  can protect the battery assembly  5000  and/or the surgical instrument if the surgical instrument is dropped in an orientation such that the top face is at least substantially parallel with ground upon impact. On the other hand, if the battery assembly  5000  is not attached to the surgical instrument the shock absorbing cap  5050  can still protect the battery assembly  5000  if the battery assembly  5000  is dropped in an orientation such that the top face is at least substantially parallel to the ground. 
     A partial, cross-sectional view of the battery assembly  5000  is illustrated in  FIG. 39 . The shock absorbing cap  5050  comprises a lattice structure, or cellular structure, comprising a plurality of cells  5052 . The shock absorbing cap  5050  can comprise a material similar to that of the shock absorbing layer  5020 . A denser lattice arrangement  5055  is used near outer edges  5054  of the battery assembly  5000  which can dissipate a more concentrated impact force. The shock absorbing cap  5050  comprises a center portion  5053  comprising a columnar lattice arrangement  5056  configured to absorb an impact energy generated by an impact force applied to the center portion  5053 . In various instances, the column lattice arrangement  5056  is configured to dissipate a broadly-applied impact force. 
     In various instances, the shock absorbing cap  5050  may comprise crumple zones configured to deform when an impact force is applied. The shock absorbing cap  5050  can be designed to use the crumple zones to prevent the battery assembly  5000  from bouncing on the floor, for example, in the event the battery assembly  5000  is dropped. 
     The shock absorbing cap  5050  may be readily replaceable. In the event that the shock absorbing cap  5050  experiences an excessive amount of deformation requiring replacement of the shock absorbing cap  5050 , the battery assembly  5000  can be configured so that the user of the surgical instrument can remove the damaged shock absorbing cap from the battery assembly  5000  and attach a useable shock absorbing cap. 
     In various instances, the shock absorbing elements  5020  can be tethered by intermediate portions. The intermediate portions can be configured to protect the lateral faces  5015  and/or the alignment features  5012  of the battery housing  5010 . It can be appreciated that if an impact force is applied over the surface area of a lateral face  5015  of the battery housing  5010 , the stress generated by the impact force would be less than that if the same impact force were to be applied to a corner  5014  of the battery housing  5010  which has a smaller surface area. Stated another way, the more surface area over which an impact force is distributed, the lower the stress and the stress concentration will be. Therefore, it may not be necessary that the intermediate portions between the shock absorbing elements  5020  be comprised of a composition which is as substantial as the shock absorbing elements  5020 . In at least one instance, as a result, the intermediate portions may comprise a thinner composition than the shock absorbing elements  5020 ; however, various embodiments are envisioned in which the intermediate portions comprise the same and/or a thicker composition than the shock absorbing elements  5020 . 
     Each of the shock absorbing elements  5020  of the battery assembly  5000  comprise a similar construction; however, other embodiments are envisioned in which one or more of the shock absorbing elements  5020  may be different than the others. In at least one such instance, at least one of the shock absorbing elements  5020  can comprise an additional weight, such as a metal weight, for example, positioned therein which can cause the battery assembly  5000  to fall and land in a specific orientation. Such an effect could also be achieved by placing one or more weights in the battery housing  5010 , for example. 
     A battery assembly  5100 , which is similar to the battery assembly  5000  in many respects, is depicted in  FIG. 40 . The battery assembly  5100  can comprise means for protecting the internal components  5030  of the battery assembly  5100  from damage as a result of impact shock and/or heat. Various means for protecting the battery assembly  5100  from impact shock are discussed above. Heat, which is represented by Q in  FIG. 40A , can pass through the battery housing  5110  and can be absorbed by the battery cells  5031  positioned in the battery housing  5110 , for example. 
     It should be appreciated that heat flows from a higher temperature environment to a lower temperature environment. Under typical sterilization conditions, the battery assembly  5100  is exposed to a high temperature and, as a result, heat flows from a sterilization chamber into the battery assembly  5100 . In some circumstances, however, the battery assembly  5100  may be improperly sterilized and may be exposed to an excessive temperature. If at least one of the battery cells  5031  absorbs and/or retains a damaging amount of heat Q, the battery cells  5031  may experience a thermal runaway event and fail. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 40A , the battery housing  5110  comprises a heat reflective shell, or shield,  5111 , a shock absorbing layer  5112 , and a heat sink layer  5113 . The reflective shell  5111  is configured to reflect and/or block the transfer of heat Q generated by improper sterilization, for example. In various instances, the reflective shell  5111  may be comprised of a material with a low thermal conductivity, such as a polymer and/or ceramic material, for example. A material having a low thermal conductivity usually has a low thermal expansion rate. A material having a low thermal conductivity can also perform well as an insulating layer. In any event, the reflective shell  5111  can comprise a reflective outer surface which can reflect heat away from the battery assembly  5100 . The reflective outer surface can be comprised of a polished metal, such as polished aluminum, for example. 
     Further to the above, the heat sink layer  5113  is configured to absorb heat that passes through the reflective shell  5111 . The heat sink layer  5113  can also be configured to absorb heat generated by the battery cells  5031  when the battery cells  5031  are being re-charged, for example. In some instances, the battery cells  5031  may generate an atypical amount of heat due to the overcharging and/or overuse thereof. In various instances, the heat sink layer  5113  can be comprised of a material having a high thermal conductivity such as a metal, for example. Any suitable material having a high thermal conductivity can be used to absorb heat generated by the at least one battery cell  5031 . Moreover, a material having a high thermal conductivity often has a high thermal expansion rate. 
     Further to the above, the battery cells  5031  can expand as they are being charged. The expanding battery cells  5031  can push the heat sink layer  5113  outwardly. Moreover, the heat sink layer  5113  can rapidly expand outwardly due to its high thermal expansion rate. Such outward movement of the battery cells  5031  and the heat sink layer  5113  can push the shock absorbing layer  5112  toward the reflective shell  5111  and apply pressure to the reflective shell  5111 . Such pressure can generate stress within the reflective shell  5111 , the heat sink layer  5113 , and the battery cells  5031 , especially in embodiments where the reflective shell  5111  is comprised of a material which has a lower thermal expansion rate than the heat sink layer  5113 . In such instances, the heat sink layer  5113  may expand more than the reflective shell  5111  thereby creating additional stress in the reflective shell  5111 , the heat sink layer  5113 , and the battery cells  5031 . 
     The shock absorbing layer  5112  is configured to permit expansion of the battery cells  5031  while preventing damage to the battery housing  5110 . Acting as a degree of freedom for the battery housing  5110 , the shock absorbing layer  5112  may expand and/or contract in order to manage the expansion and/or contraction of the battery cells  5031  by allowing the heat sink layer  5113  and the at least one battery cell  5031  to expand and/or contract due to the transfer of heat while maintaining the supportive ability of the battery assembly  5100 . In various instances, the expansion and contraction of the shock absorbing layer  5112  can prevent damage to the battery housing  5110 . The shock absorbing layer  5112  can absorb thermal shocks as well as impact shocks 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 41 and 42 , a surgical instrument system  5300  includes a handle  5310  which is usable with a shaft assembly selected from a plurality of shaft assemblies. Further to the above, one or more of such shaft assemblies can include a staple cartridge, for example. The handle  5310  comprises a housing  5312 , a first rotatable drive output  5340 , and a second rotatable drive output  5350 . The handle  5310  further includes a first actuator  5314  for operating the first rotatable drive output  5340  and a second actuator  5315  for operating the second rotatable drive output  5350 . The handle housing  5312  comprises a battery cavity  5311  configured to receive a battery therein. The battery can be any suitable battery, such as a lithium ion battery, for example. In various instances, the battery is insertable into and removable from the battery cavity  5311 . In many instances, such a battery can provide power to the handle  5310  to operate the surgical instrument system  5300  without the complement of an additional and/or tethered power source, for instance. Such a design can be advantageous for many reasons. For instance, when the surgical instrument system  5300  is untethered to a power source, the entirety of the surgical instrument system  5300  can be present in a sterile field of the operating suite. Such batteries, however, can only supply a finite amount of power. In many circumstances, the finite amount of power that the battery can supply is sufficient to operate the surgical instrument system  5300 . On the other hand, some circumstances can arise in which the battery cannot supply the surgical instrument system  5300  with the requisite power. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 41 , the battery positioned in the battery cavity  5311  of the handle  5310  can be removed and replaced with a power supply adapter  5360 , for example. The power supply adapter  5360  comprises a distal plug  5361  positionable in the battery cavity  5311 . The distal plug  5361  comprises a plurality of electrical contacts  5366  which are engageable with corresponding electrical contacts  5316  in the handle  5310 . In various instances, the battery and the distal plug  5361  can engage the same electrical contacts  5316 , depending on which one is positioned in the battery cavity  5311 . In such instances, the handle  5310  can be supplied with power from one set of electrical contacts  5316  regardless of whether the battery or the power supply adapter  5360  is engaged with the handle  5310 . In other instances, the battery engages a first set of electrical contacts  5316  and the distal plug  5361  engages a different set of electrical contacts  5316 . In such instances, a microprocessor of the handle  5310  can be configured to identify whether the battery or the power supply adapter  5360  is coupled to the handle  5310 . 
     The distal plug  5361  of the power supply adapter  5360  can comprise any suitable shape so long as the distal plug  5361  is positionable in the battery cavity  5311 . In various instances, the distal plug  5361  can comprise the same geometry as the battery, for example. In certain instances, the housing of the distal plug  5361  is analogous or sufficiently similar to the housing of the battery. In any event, the distal plug  5361  can be configured such that there is little, if any, relative movement between the distal plug  5361  and the battery cavity  5311  once the distal plug  5361  has been fully seated in the battery cavity  5311 . In at least one instance, the distal plug  5361  comprises a stop  5368  configured to contact a stop datum  5318  defined on the handle housing  5312 . When the stop plug stop  5368  contacts the handle stop datum  5318 , the plug  5361  may be fully seated in the battery cavity  5311 . The handle  5310  and/or the plug  5361  can comprise a lock configured to hold the plug  5361  in its fully seated position. For instance, the plug  5361  comprises at least one lock  5362  configured to releasably engage the housing  5312 . 
     The power supply adapter  5360  further comprises a cord  5363  extending from the plug  5361 . The cord  5363  electrically couples the plug  5361  with a power source, such as power source  5370 , for example. The power source  5370  can comprise any suitable power source such as a signal generator that receives power from a 110V, 60 Hz power source and/or a battery, for example. The cord  5363  comprises any suitable number of conductors and insulators to communicate electrical power from the power source  5370  to the plug  5361 . In at least one instance, the cord  5363  comprises a supply conductor, a return conductor, and a ground conductor, for example, which are electrically insulated from one another by an insulator jacket. Each conductor of the cord  5363  can comprise a proximal terminal contained within a proximal plug  5369 , for example. In various instances, the proximal plug  5369  can be releasably attached to the power source  5370 . In certain other instances, the proximal plug may not be readily detached from the power source  5370 . 
     In various instances, the power source  5370  can comprise a direct current (DC) power source, for example. In such instances, the battery and the power supply adapter  5360  can both supply DC power to the handle  5310 , depending on which one is electrically coupled to the handle  5310 . The power supply adapter  5360  and the power source  5370  can co-operatively supply electrical power to the handle  5310  which is equal to and/or in excess of the electrical power that the battery can supply to the handle  5310 . In at least one instance, a surgeon using the handle  5310  as part of the surgical instrument system  5300  may determine that the handle  5310  is underpowered, remove the battery from the handle  5310 , and couple the power supply adapter  5360  to the handle  5310 . The power source  5370  can then be operated to supply sufficient power to the handle  5310  via the power supply adaptor  5360  to operate the surgical instrument system in the desired manner. In various instances, the power source  5370  can supply a larger voltage to the handle  5310 , for example. 
     In certain instances, the power source  5370  can comprise an alternating current (AC) power source. In at least one such instance, the power supply adapter  5360  can include an alternating current to direct current (AC/DC) power converter configured to convert the AC power supplied by the power source  5370  to DC power. In such instances, the battery and the power supply adapter  5360  can both supply DC power to the handle  5310 , depending on which one is electrically coupled to the handle  5310 . The AC/DC power converter can include a transformer, a full-wave bridge rectifier, and/or a filter capacitor, for example; however, any suitable AC/DC power converter could be utilized. The AC/DC power converter is positioned in the plug  5361 ; however, the AC/DC power converter can be positioned within the power supply adapter  5360  in any suitable location, such as the cable  5363 , for example. 
     In various instances, the handle  5310  includes a AC/DC power converter in addition to or in lieu of the AC/DC power converter of the power supply adapter  5360 . Such an embodiment could implement the dual sets of battery contacts  5316  discussed above. In at least one such embodiment, a battery power supply circuit can comprise, one, a first circuit segment including the first set of contacts  5316  which are engaged by the battery and, two, a second circuit segment in parallel to the first circuit segment which includes the second set of contacts  5316  that are engaged by the power supply adapter  5360 . The second circuit segment includes an AC/DC power converter configured to convert the AC power supplied by the power source  5370  to DC power while the first circuit segment does not include an AC/DC power converter as the battery is already configured to supply DC power. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 41 , the handle  5310  may be in a sterile operating field  5301  and the power supply  5370  may be in a non-sterile field  5302 . In such instances, the power supply adapter  5360  can extend between the sterile field  5301  and the non-sterile field  5302 . The sterile field  5301  and the non-sterile field are separated by a boundary  5303 . The boundary  5303  may comprise a physical boundary, such as a wall, for example, or a virtual boundary intermediate a sterile operating table and a non-sterile back table, for example. 
     In order to use the power supply adapter  5360 , the battery positioned in the battery cavity  5311  must be removed in order to install the plug  5361  of the power supply adapter  5360  into the battery cavity  5311 . Alternative embodiments are envisioned in which the battery can remain in the battery cavity  5311  when a power supply adapter is operably coupled with the handle  5310 . Turning now to  FIG. 42 , a battery  5461  is positionable in the battery cavity  5311 . The battery  5461  is readily removable from the battery cavity  5311  when the lock  5362  is deactivated; however, embodiments are envisioned in which the battery  5461  is not readily removable from the battery cavity  5311 . Similar to the plug  5361 , the battery  5461  can be sized and configured such that the battery  5461  is closely received in the battery cavity  5311  in order to limit relative movement between the battery  5461  and the battery cavity  5311  when the battery  5461  is fully seated in the battery cavity  5311 . Also similar to the plug  5361 , the battery  5461  comprises an end stop  5468  configured to contact the stop datum  5318  of the handle  5310 . 
     The battery  5461  comprises one or more lithium ion battery cells, for example, positioned therein. Similar to the above, the battery  5461  can supply sufficient power to the handle  5310  to operate the surgical instrument system in various instances. In the event that the battery cells of the battery  5461  lack the necessary power to operate the surgical instrument system, a power supply adapter  5460  can be coupled to the battery  5461 . The power supply adapter  5460  is similar to the power supply adapter  5360  in many respects. Similar to the above, the power supply adapter  5460  comprises a cord  5463  including a proximal end  5369  which can be connected to a power source, such as power source  5370 , for example. The battery  5461  includes an electrical connector  5464  defined therein which is configured to receive a distal connector  5465  of the cord  5463  to electrically couple the power source  5370  to the battery  5461 . 
     In at least one instance, further to the above, the power supply adapter  5460  can be placed in series with the cells of the battery  5461  when the adapter connector  5465  is inserted into the battery connector  5464 . In such instances, the battery  5461  and the power source  5370  can both supply power to the handle  5310 .  FIG. 43  depicts such an embodiment. As disclosed in  FIG. 43 , a battery  5461 ′ comprises a power supply circuit including one or more battery cells  5470 ′ which are configured to supply DC power to the handle  5310 . When the power supply adapter  5460  is electrically coupled to the battery  5461 ′, the power source  5370  can, one, re-charge the battery cells  5470 ′ via re-charging circuit  5471 ′ and/or, two, supplement the power that the battery cells  5470 ′ are supplying to the handle  5310 . In the instances where the power source  5370  comprises an AC power source, the battery  5461 ′ can comprise an AC/DC transformer  5467 ′ which is configured to convert the AC power supplied by the power source  5370  to DC power before the power is supplied to the charge circuit  5471 ′ and/or the battery cells  5470 ′. The power supply circuit in the battery comprises the battery connector  5464 , the AC/DC transformer  5467 ′, the charge circuit  5471 ′, the battery cells  5470 ′, and the battery terminals  5366  which are in series with one another; however, any suitable arrangement for the power supply circuit can be utilized. 
     In other instances, the insertion of the adapter connector  5465  into the battery connector  5464  can electrically couple the power source  5370  with the handle  5310  and, concurrently, electrically decouple the battery cells of the battery  5461  from the handle  5310 .  FIG. 44  depicts such an embodiment. As disclosed in  FIG. 44 , a battery  5461 ″ comprises a power supply circuit including one or more battery cells  5470 ″ which are configured to supply DC power to the handle  5310 . The battery cells  5470 ″ are in electrical communication with the battery contacts  5366  via a first circuit segment  5472 ″ and a battery switch  5474 ″ when the adapter connector  5465  is not positioned in the battery connector  5464 . In such instances, the battery switch  5474 ″ is in a first switch state. The insertion of the adapter connector  5465  into the battery connector  5464  places the switch  5474 ″ in a second switch state, as illustrated in  FIG. 44 , in which the battery cells  5470 ″ are no longer able to supply electrical power to the contacts  5366 . Additionally, the power supply adapter  5460  and the battery connector  5464  are in electrical communication with the battery contacts  5366  via a second circuit segment  5473 ″ and the battery switch  5474 ″ when the switch  5474 ″ is in its second switch state. In the instances where the power source  5370  comprises an AC power source, the second circuit segment  5473 ″ of the battery  5461 ″ can comprise an AC/DC transformer  5467 ″ which is configured to convert the AC power supplied by the power source  5370  to DC power. 
     As discussed above, referring again to  FIG. 44 , the battery switch  5474 ″ can be operated to selectively place the first parallel circuit segment  5472 ″ including the battery cells  5470 ″ in electrical communication with the battery contacts  5366  when the switch  5474 ″ is in its first switch state and, alternatively, the second parallel circuit segment  5473 ″ including the battery connector  5464  and the AC/DC transformer  5467 ″ in electrical communication with the battery contacts  5366  when the switch  5474 ″ is in its second switch state. The battery switch  5474 ″ can comprise a mechanical switch, an electromechanical switch, and/or an electronic switch, as described in greater detail further below. 
     A mechanical battery switch  5474 ″ can comprise a sliding busbar which is pushed between a first position associated with a first switch state of the switch  5474 ″ and a second position associated with a second switch state of the switch  5474 ″, for example. In the first position of the sliding busbar, the busbar couples the first circuit segment  5472 ″ with the battery contacts  5366  but does not couple the second circuit segment  5473 ″ with the battery contacts  5366 . In the second position of the sliding busbar, the busbar couples the second circuit segment  5473 ″ with the battery contacts  5366  but does not couple the first circuit segment  5472 ″ with the battery contacts  5366 . The battery  5461  can further comprise a biasing member, such as a spring, for example, configured to bias the busbar into its first position and, thus, bias the battery switch  5474 ″ into its first switch state. Further to the above, the adapter connector  5465  can contact the busbar of the switch  5474 ″ when the adapter connector  5465  is inserted into the battery connector  5464  and push the busbar from its first position into its second position and place the switch  5474 ″ into its second switch state. When the adapter connector  5465  is removed from the battery connector  5464 , the biasing member can return the busbar to its first position and electrically re-couple the battery cells  5470 ″ with the battery contacts  5366 . In certain alternative embodiments, the insertion of the adapter connector  5465  into the battery connector  5464  may permanently decouple the battery cells  5470 ″ from the battery contacts  5466 . In at least one such embodiment, the battery  5461 ″ can comprise a lock configured to hold the busbar in its second position once the busbar is pushed into its second position by the adapter connector  5465 . Such an embodiment can provide a permanent lockout to prevent the battery  5461 ″ from being used again to supply power from the battery cells  5470 ″ as it may be undesirable and/or unreliable to reuse and/or recharge a battery that was unable to provide the handle  5310  with sufficient power. 
     An electromechanical switch  5474 ″ can comprise a relay, for example. The relay can be biased into a first relay state when the adapter connector  5465  is not positioned in the battery connector  5464 . The relay can be switched into a second relay state when the adapter connector  5465  is electrically coupled to the battery connector  5464 . The relay can comprise an electromagnet, which can include a wire coil and an armature, for example, that is activated when the contacts of the adapter connector  5465  interface with the battery connector  5464 . In at least one instance, the power supply adapter  5460  can comprise a relay control circuit in addition to the power circuits which can provide the coil of the relay with a sufficient voltage to move the armature of the relay between its first switch state and its second switch state. In various instances, the switch  5474 ″ can comprise a latching relay, for example. In at least one instance, the switch  5474 ″ can comprise a contactor, for example, which can be electronically controlled by a microprocessor and a control circuit, for example. 
     Certain electronic switches may not have any moving components, such as a solid-state relay, for example. A solid-state relay can utilize a thyristor, TRIAC and/or any other solid-state switching device, for example. A solid-state relay can be activated by a control signal from the power source  5370 , for example, to switch the load being supplied to the battery contacts  5366  from the battery cells  5470 ″ to the power source  5370 . In at least one instance, the solid-state relay can comprise a contactor solid-state relay, for example. In various instances, an electronic switch can comprise a microprocessor and a sensor in signal communication with the microprocessor which detects whether power is being supplied to a contact of the battery connector  5464 , for example. In at least one instance, the sensor can be configured to inductively detect a field that is generated when voltage is applied to the contacts of the battery connector  5464 . In certain instances, the microprocessor can be responsive to a control signal received from the power supply  5370 , for example, to switch a relay between a first relay state and a second relay state to control whether the first parallel circuit segment  5472 ″ or the second parallel circuit segment  5473 ″, respectively, is in electrical communication with the battery contacts  5366 . 
     Further to the above, the power supply adapter  5460  can include an AC/DC power converter. The power supply adapter  5460  includes an AC/DC power transformer  5467  in the cord  5463 ; however, an AC/DC power transformer may be placed in any suitable location in the power supply adapter  5460 . 
     In various instances, a power adapter supply system can include a battery, such as the battery  5361 ,  5461 ,  5461 ′, and/or  5461 ″, for example, and a power supply adapter, such as the power supply adapter  5360  and/or  5460 , for example. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 45-47 , a handle  5510  of a surgical instrument system comprises a gripping portion, or pistol grip,  5511  and a housing  5512 . The handle  5510  further comprises one or more battery cells, such as battery cells  5470 , for example, positioned in the gripping portion  5511 . In many instances, the battery cells  5470  can provide enough power to the handle  5510  to operate the surgical instrument system. In other instances, the battery cells  5470  may not be able to provide enough power to the handle  5510 . In such instances, as described in greater detail further below, a supplemental battery, such as supplemental battery  5560 , for example, can be attached to the handle  5510  to provide power to the handle  5510 . 
     Further to the above, referring primarily to  FIG. 47 , the battery cells  5470  are arranged in series as part of a battery power supply circuit  5513 . The battery power supply circuit  5513  is in electrical communication with an electrical connector  5516  defined in the housing  5512 . The electrical connector  5516  can comprise any suitable number of electrical contacts. In at least one instance, the electrical connector  5516  comprises two electrical contacts, for example. The electrical connector  5516  is positioned at the end of the gripping portion  5511 ; however, the electrical connector  5516  can be positioned at any suitable location on the handle  5510 . 
     The handle  5510  further comprises a connector cover  5517 . The connector cover  5517  is movable between a first position in which it covers the electrical connector  5516  and a second position in which the electrical connector  5516  is exposed. The housing  5512  comprises a slot  5518  defined therein configured to slidably receive and support the connector cover  5517 . The handle  5510  further comprises a biasing member, such as spring  5519 , for example, positioned in the slot  5518  intermediate the housing  5512  and the connector cover  5517 . The spring  5519  is configured to bias the connector cover  5517  into its first position to cover the electrical connector  5516 . 
     As discussed above, the supplemental battery  5560  is attachable to the handle  5510 . The supplemental battery  5560  comprises a housing  5562  and one or more battery cells, such as battery cells  5570 , for example, positioned therein. The battery cells  5570  are arranged in series as part of a supplemental battery supply circuit  5563 . The supplemental battery supply circuit  5563  is in electrical communication with an electrical connector  5566  defined in the battery housing  5562 . The electrical connector  5566  comprises the same number of electrical contacts as the electrical connector  5516  and are configured to form mating pairs with the electrical contacts of the electrical connector  5516 . 
     The housing  5562  of the supplemental battery  5560  further comprises a cavity, or receptacle,  5561  defined therein which is configured to receive the gripping portion  5511  of the handle  5510 . The cavity  5561  is configured to closely receive the gripping portion  5511  such that there is little to no relative movement between the supplemental battery  5560  and the handle  5510  when the supplemental battery  5560  is fully assembled thereto. As the supplemental battery  5560  is being assembled to the handle  5510 , the housing  5562  contacts the connector cover  5517  and pushes the connector cover  5517  into its second position to expose the electrical connector  5516 . Once the contacts of the electrical connector  5516  have been at least partially exposed, the contacts of the electrical connector  5566  can engage the contacts of the electrical connector  5516 . At such point, the supplemental battery supply circuit  5563  has been electrically coupled to the battery power supply circuit  5513 . 
     The electrical connectors  5516  and  5566  can be positioned and arranged such that they do not engage one another until the supplemental battery  5560  has been fully seated onto the gripping portion  5511 . In other embodiments, the electrical connectors  5516  and  5566  can be positioned and arranged such that they engage one another prior to the supplemental battery  5560  being fully seated onto the gripping portion  5511 . In either event, the housing  5512  of the handle  5510  and/or the housing  5562  of the supplemental battery  5560  can comprise a lock configured to hold the supplemental battery  5560  to the housing  5510 . The lock is releasable to allow the supplemental battery  5560  to be readily removed from the handle  5510 ; however, embodiments are envisioned in which the lock does not permit the supplemental battery  5560  to be readily released from the handle  5510 . 
     As discussed above, the supplemental battery supply circuit  5563  is electrically coupled to the battery power supply circuit  5513  when the supplemental battery  5560  is assembled to the handle  5510 . In various instances, the supplemental battery cells  5570  are placed in series with the handle battery cells  5470  and can increase the power available to the handle  5510 . Such embodiments can be useful when the handle battery cells  5470  have become drained from use, for example. In other instances, the supplemental battery cells  5570  of the supplemental battery  5560  are placed in parallel with the battery cells  5470  of the handle  5510 . In at least one such instance, the handle battery cells  5470  can be electrically decoupled from the handle  5510  when the supplemental battery cells  5570  are electrically coupled with the handle  5510 . Such embodiments can be useful when a short has occurred in the handle battery cells  5470 . Various embodiments of the handle  5510  can include a switch which can allow the user to selectively place the supplemental battery cells  5570  in series with or in parallel with the handle battery cells  5470 . 
     EXAMPLES 
     Example 1 
     A surgical apparatus comprising a handle module comprising an attachment portion, wherein a detachable shaft module is attachable to the attachment portion for collectively performing a surgical procedure, and wherein the handle module comprises a rotary drive system for driving the detachable shaft module, an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system, and one or more sensors. The handle module further comprises a handle module processor circuit in communication with the one or more sensors and the electric motor, wherein the handle module processor circuit is programmed to control the electric motor, track an end-of-life parameter for the handle module based on input from the one or more sensors, and maintain a count of the end-of-life parameter. 
     Example 2 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 1, further comprising means, in communication with the handle module processor circuit, for taking an end-of-life action when the handle module processor circuit determines that the count for the end-of-life parameter reaches a threshold value. 
     Example 3 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 2, wherein the means for taking the end-of-life action comprises a display that displays to a user of the surgical apparatus information indicative of the end-of-life parameter reaching the threshold valve. 
     Example 4 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 3, wherein the display displays the count 
     Example 5 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 3 or 4, wherein the display displays an indicator that indicates a remaining number of uses for the handle module before the threshold value is reached. 
     Example 6 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the means for taking the end-of-life action comprises means for disabling the handle module for a subsequent surgical procedure. 
     Example 7 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 6, wherein the means for disabling the handle module comprises means for disabling the operation of the electric motor. 
     Example 8 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 6 or 7, wherein the means for disabling the handle module comprise means for preventing installation of a charged battery pack in the handle module. 
     Example 9 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein the end-of-life parameter is selected from the group consisting of a number of firings by the handle module, a number of surgical procedures involving the handle module, a number of attachments of a detachable shaft module to the handle module, a number of sterilizations of the handle module, and a number of attachments of removable battery packs to the handle module, wherein the removable battery packs are for supplying electric power to the handle module during a surgical procedure. 
     Example 10 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, wherein the end-of-life parameter is computed according to a function whose inputs include the number of firings by the handle module and the number of surgical procedures involving the handle module. 
     Example 11 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 10, wherein the function computes the end-of-life parameter by using different weighting coefficients for different detachable shaft modules. 
     Example 12 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or 11, wherein the detachable shaft module comprises an end effector with a firing member that, when fired, traverses a stroke length, and wherein the end-of-life parameter comprises a usage parameter for the handle module indicative of differences between the force that is expected to be exerted by the handle module and the force actually exerted by the handle module over the stroke length of the firing member. 
     Example 13 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12, wherein the end-of-life parameter comprises the number of times the handle module has been sterilized. 
     Example 14 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or 13, wherein the handle module includes a sterilization sensor that is in communication with the handle module processor circuit that is actuated when a protective sterilization cover is attached to the handle module. 
     Example 15 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 14, wherein the sterilization sensor comprises a switch that is actuated when the protective sterilization cover is attached to the handle module. 
     Example 16 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15, further comprising an inspection station, wherein the handle module is connectable to the inspection station for inspection of the handle module following the surgical procedure, wherein the inspection station comprises an inspection station processor circuit that communicates with the handle module processor circuit via a data connection when the handle module is connected to the inspection station, and an inspection station display in communication with the inspection station processor circuit, wherein the inspection station display displays information about the handle module when the handle module is connected to the inspection station. 
     Example 17 
     A surgical apparatus comprising a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, wherein the handle module comprises a rotary drive system which is activatable to drive the detachable shaft module, an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system, and means for tracking a count of an end-of-life parameter for the handle module based on the number of times in which the rotary drive system is activated. 
     Example 18 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 17, wherein the means for tracking the count of the end-of-life parameter comprises a processor circuit and memory, wherein the memory stores program code that is executed by the processor to track the count of the end-of-life parameter for the handle module. 
     Example 19 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 17 or 18, wherein the handle module is powered by a removable battery pack, and wherein the means for tracking the count of the end-of-life parameter for the handle module is further based on a number of times a removable battery pack is connected to the handle module. 
     Example 20 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 17, 18, or 19, further comprising a sterilization tray for holding the handle module during a sterilization procedure, wherein the means for tracking the count of the end-of-life parameter for the handle module comprises a counter on the sterilization tray that increments the count when the handle module is placed in the sterilization tray. 
     Example 21 
     An apparatus, comprising a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, wherein the handle module comprises a rotary drive system for driving the detachable shaft module, an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system, and a handle module processor circuit in communication with the electric motor. The apparatus further comprises an inspection station for connection to the handle module when the handle module is not being used in a surgical procedure, wherein the inspection station comprises an inspection station processor circuit that communicates with the handle module processor circuit via a data connection when the handle module is connected to the inspection station, and an inspection station display in communication with the inspection station processor circuit, wherein the inspection station display displays information about handle module connected to the inspection station. 
     Example 22 
     The apparatus of Example 21, wherein the inspection station comprises an electric power source for supplying electric power to the handle module when the handle module is connected to the inspection station. 
     Example 23 
     The apparatus of Examples 21 or 22, wherein the inspection station is configured to perform one or more tests on the handle module to determine the suitability of the handle module for use in a subsequent surgical procedure. 
     Example 24 
     The apparatus of Example 23, wherein the one or more tests comprises a seal integrity test of the handle module. 
     Example 25 
     The apparatus of Examples 23 or 24, wherein the one or more tests comprises a gear backlash test for the rotary drive system of the handle module. 
     Example 26 
     The apparatus of Examples 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25, wherein the inspection station is configured to perform a conditioning action to condition the handle module for use in a subsequent surgical procedure. 
     Example 27 
     The apparatus of Example 26, wherein the conditioning action comprises drying components of the handle module. 
     Example 28 
     The apparatus of Examples 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, or 27, wherein the inspection station comprises one or more fans for blowing air on the components of the handle module. 
     Example 29 
     The apparatus of Examples 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, or 28, wherein the inspection station comprises a vacuum port for drying the components of the handle module with vacuum pressure air flow. 
     Example 30 
     The apparatus of Examples 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, or 29, wherein the inspection station further comprises a load simulation adapter connectable to the rotary drive system of the handle module. 
     Example 31 
     The apparatus of Example 30, wherein the load simulation adapter comprises a motor for supplying a simulated load to the rotary drive system of the handle module. 
     Example 32 
     The apparatus of Examples 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, or 31 wherein the inspection station is further connected to the detachable shaft module. 
     Example 33 
     A surgical process comprising performing, by a clinician, a surgical procedure on a patient with a surgical instrument that comprises a handle module connected to a detachable shaft module, wherein the handle module includes a memory that stores data about the handle module and the surgical procedure, while the handle module is connected to the inspection station, downloading to a memory of the inspection station data about the surgical procedure stored in the memory of the handle module, and while the handle module is connected to the inspection station, visually displaying on a display of the inspection of station information about the handle module. 
     Example 34 
     The surgical process of Example 33, further comprising following the surgical procedure and prior to connecting the handle module to an inspection station, removing a removable battery pack from the handle module, wherein the removable battery pack powered the handle module during the surgical procedure, and while the handle module is connected to the inspection station, electrically powering the handle module with electric power from the inspection station. 
     Example 35 
     The surgical process of Examples 33 or 34, while the handle module is connected to the inspection station, performing one or more tests on the handle module to determine the suitability of the handle module for use in a subsequent surgical procedure. 
     Example 36 
     The surgical process of Example 35, wherein the one or more tests comprises a seal integrity test of the handle module. 
     Example 37 
     The surgical process of Examples 35 or 36, wherein the one or more tests comprises a gear backlash test. 
     Example 38 
     The surgical process of Examples 34, 35, 36, or 37, while the handle module is connected to the inspection station, performing a conditioning action to condition the handle module for use in a subsequent surgical procedure. 
     Example 39 
     The surgical process of Example 38, wherein the conditioning action comprises drying components of the handle module. 
     Example 40 
     A surgical apparatus comprising a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, wherein the handle module comprises a rotary drive system for driving the detachable shaft module, an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system, one or more sensors for sensing data about the electric motor, and a handle module processor circuit in communication with the one or more sensors, wherein the handle module processor circuit is programmed to monitor a performance parameter of the handle module based on input from the one or more sensors, and wherein the handle module processor circuit monitors the performance parameter of the handle module by monitoring whether the performance parameter is outside an acceptable performance band. 
     Example 41 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 40, wherein the processor circuit monitors the performance parameter of the handle module by monitoring whether the performance parameter is below or above the acceptable performance band. 
     Example 42 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 40 or 41, wherein the handle module further comprises means for taking remedial action when the handle module processor circuit determines that the performance parameter is outside the acceptable performance band. 
     Example 43 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 40, 41, or 42, wherein the performance parameter comprises a performance parameter of the electric motor. 
     Example 44 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 43, wherein the performance parameter of the electric motor comprises the energy consumed by the electric motor over the life of the handle module. 
     Example 45 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 43 or 44, wherein the performance parameter of the electric motor comprises the power consumed by the electric motor for each firing of the handle module. 
     Example 46 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 43, 44, or 45, wherein the performance parameter of the electric motor comprises the energy consumed by the electric motor over the life of the handle module and the power consumed by the electric motor for each firing of the handle module. 
     Example 47 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 46, wherein the handle module processor circuit is programmed to determine that remedial action should be taken when at least one of the following conditions is met the energy consumed by the electric motor over the life of the handle module exceeds a first energy threshold value, and the energy consumed by the electric motor over the life of the handle module exceeds a second energy threshold value, which is lower than the first energy threshold value, and the handle module has had a threshold number of device firings above a threshold power level. 
     Example 48 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 43, 44, 45, 46, or 47 wherein the performance parameter comprises output torque of the electric motor. 
     Example 49 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, or 48 wherein the performance parameter comprises a performance parameter of the rotary drive system. 
     Example 50 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 49 wherein the performance parameter of the rotary drive system comprises gear backlash. 
     Example 51 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 or 50, wherein the means for taking remedial action comprises a display for displaying a condition of the handle module. 
     Example 52 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, or 51 wherein the means for taking remedial action comprises means for disabling the handle module. 
     Example 53 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 52, wherein the means for disabling the handle module comprises means for preventing the insertion of a charged, removable battery pack into the handle module to power the handle module during a surgical procedure. 
     Example 54 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 53, wherein the means for preventing the insertion of a charged, removable battery pack comprises a spring-loaded mechanical lock-out. 
     Example 55 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 53 or 54, wherein the means for preventing the insertion of a charged, removable battery pack comprises a latch that, when actuated, prevents the removal of a discharged, removable battery pack from the handle module. 
     Example 56 
     A surgical apparatus, comprising a detachable shaft module and a handle module connected to the detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, wherein the handle module comprises a rotary drive system for driving the detachable shaft module, an electric motor coupled to the rotary drive system for powering the rotary drive system, means for monitoring a performance parameter of at least one of the electric motor and the rotary drive system, and means for taking a remedial action upon a determination that the performance parameter is outside an acceptable performance band. 
     Example 57 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 56, wherein the performance parameter comprises the energy consumed by the electric motor over the life of the handle module. 
     Example 58 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 56 or 57, wherein the performance parameter comprises the power consumed by the electric motor for each firing of the handle module. 
     Example 59 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 56, 57, or 58, wherein the performance parameter comprises the output torque of the electric motor. 
     Example 60 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 56, 57, 58, or 59, wherein the means for taking remedial action comprises means for disabling the handle module. 
     Example 61 
     The surgical apparatus of Example 60, wherein the means for disabling the handle module comprises means for disabling the electric motor. 
     Example 62 
     The surgical apparatus of Examples 60 or 61, wherein the means for disabling the handle module comprises means for preventing the insertion of a charged, removable battery pack into the handle module to power the handle module during a surgical procedure. 
     Example 63 
     A combination, comprising a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, a removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module for providing electric power to the handle module during a surgical procedure, wherein the battery pack comprises a memory for storing charging data and discharging data for the battery pack, and a charging station for at least one of charging and discharging the battery pack when the battery pack is removed from the handle module and inserted into the charging station, wherein the charging station is for at least one of charging and discharging the battery pack based on the charging data and discharging data stored in the memory of the battery pack. 
     Example 64 
     The combination of Example 63, wherein the battery pack comprises a plurality of battery cells, the charging station comprises a charging station processor circuit that determines when the battery cells should be rebalanced based on the charging data and discharging data stored in the battery pack memory and based on rebalancing criteria, and the charging station rebalances the battery cells of the battery pack when the charging station processor circuit determines that the battery cells should be rebalanced. 
     Example 65 
     The combination of Example 64, wherein the charging station processor circuit is programmed to determine that the battery cells should be rebalanced after N charges of the battery pack without rebalancing, where N is an integer greater than zero. 
     Example 66 
     The combination of Examples 64 or 65, wherein prior to rebalancing the battery cells, the charging station is configured to top off a charge of the battery cells. 
     Example 67 
     The combination of Examples 63, 64, 65, or 66, wherein the charging station comprises a charging station processor circuit that determines whether the battery pack should be discharged based on the charging and discharging data stored in the battery pack memory and based on discharging criteria, and wherein the charging station discharges the battery pack when the charging station processor circuit determines that the battery pack should be discharged. 
     Example 68 
     The combination of Example 67, wherein the discharging criteria comprise whether a second battery pack installed in the charging station is fully charged and ready for use in the handle module. 
     Example 69 
     The combination of Examples 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, or 68, wherein the charging station is programmed to charge the battery pack at a time of day based on surgical procedure schedule data for an organizational user of the charging station, and wherein the surgical procedure schedule data is stored in a memory of the charging station. 
     Example 70 
     The combination of Example 69, wherein the surgical procedure schedule data comprises a statistical likelihood that the organizational user is performing a surgical procedure with the handle module at the time of day. 
     Example 71 
     The combination of Examples 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, or 70, wherein the charging station comprises means for automatically securing the battery pack to the charging station when the battery pack is not ready for use in the handle module for a surgical procedure. 
     Example 72 
     The combination of Example 71, wherein the means for automatically securing the battery pack to the charging station comprises a screw that, when actuated by insertion of the battery pack into the charging station, screws into the battery pack. 
     Example 73 
     The combination of Examples 71 or 72, wherein the means for automatically securing the battery pack to the charging station further comprises a linear actuator for actuating the screw. 
     Example 74 
     The combination of Examples 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, or 73, wherein the charging station comprises a display for displaying charge status information about the battery pack. 
     Example 75 
     The combination of Examples 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, or 74, wherein the charging station comprises means for rapidly charging the first battery pack when a rapid charge user input for the battery pack is received by the charging station. 
     Example 76 
     The combination of Example 75, wherein the charging station comprises means for automatically securing the battery pack to the charging station when the battery pack is not ready for use in the handle module for a surgical procedure. 
     Example 77 
     A surgical process comprising performing, by a clinician, a surgical procedure on a patient with a surgical instrument that comprises a handle module connected to a detachable shaft module, wherein the handle module is powered during the surgical procedure by a removable, rechargeable battery pack, and wherein the battery pack comprises a memory for storing charging data and discharging data for the battery pack, removing the battery pack from the handle module after it has been used during the surgical procedure, following the removing step, placing the battery pack in a charging station to recharge the battery pack, following the placement step, downloading by the charging station the charging and discharging data from the memory of the battery pack, and following the downloading step, at least one of charging and discharging, by the charging station, the battery pack based on the charging data and discharging data stored in the memory of the battery pack. 
     Example 78 
     The surgical process of Example 77, wherein the battery pack comprises a plurality of battery cells, and wherein the process further comprises: following the downloading step, determining, by the charging station, whether the battery cells should be rebalanced based on the charging data and discharging data stored in the battery pack memory and based on rebalancing criteria, and upon determining that rebalancing of the battery cells of the battery pack should be performed, rebalancing the battery cells by the charging station. 
     Example 79 
     The surgical process of Examples 77 or 78, following the downloading step, rapidly charging the battery pack in response to receipt of a rapid charge user input. 
     Example 80 
     The surgical process of Examples 77, 78, or 79, following the placement step, automatically securing the battery pack to the charging station when the battery pack is not ready for use in the handle module for a surgical procedure. 
     Example 81 
     A combination, comprising a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, a removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module for providing electric power to the handle module during a surgical procedure, and a charging station for charging the battery pack when the battery pack is removed from the handle module and inserted into the charging station, wherein the charging station comprises circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack when a rapid charge user input for the battery pack is received by the charging station. 
     Example 82 
     The combination of Example 81, wherein the charging station comprises a display for displaying the charge status of the battery pack. 
     Example 83 
     The combination of Examples 81 or 82, wherein the charging station comprises a user interface through which a user inputs the rapid charge user input to the charging station. 
     Example 84 
     The combination of Example 83, wherein the user interface comprises a button on the charging station which is actuatable to provide the charging station with the rapid charge user input. 
     Example 85 
     The combination of Examples 81, 82, 83 or 84, wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack comprises circuitry for changing a charging profile for the battery pack. 
     Example 86 
     The combination of Examples 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85, wherein the circuitry for changing the charging profile for the battery pack comprises a voltage regulator connected to the battery pack, and a charging controller circuit connected to the voltage regulator. 
     Example 87 
     The combination of Examples 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, or 86 wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack comprises a charge-storing device of the charging station, and wherein charge stored on the charge-storing device is used to charge the battery pack. 
     Example 88 
     The combination of Example 87, wherein the charge-storing device comprises a supercapacitor. 
     Example 89 
     The combination of Example 88, wherein the charging station further comprises circuitry for discharging the first battery pack to the supercapacitor. 
     Example 90 
     The combination of Examples 87, 88, or 89, wherein the charge-storing device comprises one or more battery cells internal to the charging station. 
     Example 91 
     The combination of Examples 87, 88, or 89, wherein the charge-storing device comprises a plurality of battery cells internal to the charging station, and wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the battery pack comprises circuitry for charging the battery pack with the plurality of battery cells. 
     Example 92 
     The combination of Example 91, wherein the plurality of battery cells are connected in series 
     Example 93 
     The combination of Examples 91 or 92, wherein the plurality of battery cells are connected as parallel current sources. 
     Example 94 
     The combination of Examples 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, or 93, wherein the charging station further comprises circuitry for discharging the first battery pack to the internal plurality of battery cells. 
     Example 95 
     The combination of Examples 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, or 94, wherein the battery pack comprises a first battery pack, wherein the charging station comprises a first charging receptacle for receiving the first battery pack to charge the first battery pack, and a second charging receptacle for receiving a second battery pack to charge the second battery pack, and wherein the circuitry for rapidly charging the first battery pack comprises circuitry for charging the first battery pack with charge stored on the second battery pack. 
     Example 96 
     The combination of Example 95, wherein the charging station further comprises circuitry for discharging the first battery pack to the second battery pack. 
     Example 97 
     The combination of Examples 95 or 96, wherein the charging station comprises a display for displaying the charge status of the first battery pack and the second battery pack. 
     Example 98 
     The combination of Examples 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, or 97, wherein the charging station comprises means for automatically securing the battery pack to the charging station when the battery pack is not ready for use in the handle module for a surgical procedure. 
     Example 99 
     A surgical instrument system comprising a handle module for performing a surgical procedure, a removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module for providing electric power to the handle module during the surgical procedure, and a charging station for charging the battery pack, wherein the charging station comprises circuitry for charging the handle module under two operating conditions: a first operating condition in which the battery pack is charged from a primary power source, and a second operating condition in which the battery pack is charged from the primary power source and a secondary power source in order to rapidly charge the battery pack in case the battery pack is urgently needed in the surgical procedure. 
     Example 100 
     The surgical instrument system of Example 99, wherein the secondary power source comprises a second removable, rechargeable battery pack connectable to the handle module. 
     Example 101 
     An apparatus comprising a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, wherein the handle module comprises a handle module memory circuit for storing handle module usage data for the handle module, and an inspection station for connection to the handle module when the handle module is not being used in a surgical procedure, wherein the inspection station comprises an inspection station processor circuit for determining one or more service recommendations for the handle module based on the handle module usage data stored in the memory of the handle module and based on service recommendation criteria. 
     Example 102 
     The apparatus of Example 101, wherein the inspection station further comprises a display that is in communication with the inspection station processor circuit, and wherein the display is for displaying information about the one or more service recommendations. 
     Example 103 
     The apparatus of Examples 101 or 102, wherein the service recommendation criteria are stored in an inspection station memory of the inspection station, and wherein the inspection station processor circuit is in communication with the inspection station memory. 
     Example 104 
     The apparatus of Examples 101, 102, or 103, wherein the handle module comprises a handle module processor circuit in communication with the handle module memory circuit, and wherein the handle module processor circuit is in communication with the inspection station processor circuit when the handle module is connected to the inspection station such that usage data from the handle module memory is downloadable to the inspection station. 
     Example 105 
     The apparatus of Examples 101, 102, 103, or 104, wherein the handle module usage data comprises data selected from the group consisting of data regarding a number of surgical procedures involving the handle module, data regarding a number of device firings by the handle module, data regarding the power expended during the device firings of the handle module, data regarding the forces experienced during the device firings of the handle module, data regarding energy consumed by an electric motor of the handle module over the life of the handle module, and data regarding gear backlash for a rotary drive system of the handle module. 
     Example 106 
     The apparatus of Examples 101, 102, 103, 104, or 105 wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that the handle module be rebuilt. 
     Example 107 
     The apparatus of Examples 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, or 106, wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that one or more components of the handle module be lubricated. 
     Example 108 
     The apparatus of Examples 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, or 107 wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that one or more components of the handle module be inspected. 
     Example 109 
     An apparatus comprising a handle module that is attachable to a detachable shaft module for collectively performing a surgical procedure, wherein the handle module comprises a handle module memory circuit for storing handle module usage data for the handle module, and a handle module processor circuit for determining one or more service recommendations for the handle module based on the handle module usage data stored in the memory of the handle module and based on service recommendation criteria. 
     Example 110 
     The apparatus of Example 109, wherein the handle module further comprises a display that is in communication with the handle module processor circuit, and wherein the display is for displaying information about the one or more service recommendations. 
     Example 111 
     The apparatus of Examples 109 or 110, wherein the handle module usage data comprises data selected from the group consisting of data regarding a number of surgical procedures involving the handle module, data regarding a number of device firings by the handle module, data regarding the power expended during the device firings of the handle module, data regarding the forces experienced during the device firings of the handle module, data regarding energy consumed by an electric motor of the handle module over the life of the handle module, and data regarding gear backlash for a rotary drive system of the handle module. 
     Example 112 
     The apparatus of Examples 109, 110, or 111, wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that the handle module be rebuilt. 
     Example 113 
     The apparatus of Examples 109, 110, 111, or 112, wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that the handle module be rebuilt. 
     Example 114 
     The apparatus of Examples 109, 110, 111, 112, or 113, wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that one or more components of the handle module be lubricated. 
     Example 115 
     The apparatus of Examples 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, or 114, wherein the one or more service recommendations comprise a recommendation that one or more components of the handle module be inspected. 
     Example 116 
     A surgical instrument system comprising a handle including a battery cavity and a direct current electrical motor, a battery removably positionable in the battery cavity, wherein the battery is configured to supply direct current electrical power to the direct current electrical motor, and a power adapter including a plug removably positionable in the battery cavity in lieu of the battery and a cord extending from the plug, wherein the cord is configured to transmit power to the plug from a power source. The surgical instrument system further comprises an alternating current to direct current power converter configured to convert alternating current electrical power supplied from the power source to direct current electrical power. 
     Example 117 
     The surgical instrument system of Example 116, wherein the alternating current to direct current power converter is positioned in the plug. 
     Example 118 
     The surgical instrument system of Examples 116 or 117, wherein the battery comprises a battery housing, wherein the plug comprises a plug housing, and wherein the battery housing is analogous to the plug housing. 
     Example 119 
     The surgical instrument system of Examples 116, 117, or 118, wherein the handle comprises a set of handle electrical contacts in the battery cavity, wherein the battery comprises a set of battery electrical contacts configured to engage the handle electrical contacts when the battery is positioned in the battery cavity, and wherein the plug comprises a set of plug electrical contacts configured to engage the handle electrical contacts when the plug is positioned in the battery cavity. 
     Example 120 
     The surgical instrument system of Examples 116, 117, 118, or 119, wherein the handle comprises a first set of handle electrical contacts and a second set of handle electrical contacts in the battery cavity, wherein the battery comprises a set of battery electrical contacts configured to engage the first set of handle electrical contacts when the battery is positioned in the battery cavity, and wherein the plug comprises a set of plug electrical contacts configured to engage the second set of handle electrical contacts when the plug is positioned in the battery cavity. 
     Example 121 
     The surgical instrument system of Examples 116, 117, 118, 119, or 120, wherein the alternating current to direct current power converter is positioned in the handle and is in electrical communication with the second set of handle electrical contacts. 
     Example 122 
     The surgical instrument system of Examples 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, or 121, further comprising a plurality of shaft assemblies, wherein each shaft assembly is selectively engageable with the handle. 
     Example 123 
     The surgical instrument system of Example 122, wherein at least one of the shaft assemblies comprises a stapling cartridge. 
     Example 124 
     A surgical instrument system comprising a handle including a battery cavity and a direct current electrical motor, a power adapter including a battery positioned in the battery cavity, wherein the battery comprises at least one battery cell, an electrical connector, and a cord engageable with the electrical connector, wherein the cord is configured to transmit power from a power source. The surgical instrument system further comprises an alternating current to direct current power converter configured to convert alternating current electrical power supplied from the power source to direct current electrical power and supply direct current electrical power to the direct current electrical motor. 
     Example 125 
     The surgical instrument system of Example 124, further comprising a battery circuit, wherein the at least one battery cell, the alternating current to direct current power converter, and the electrical connector are arranged in series in the battery circuit such that the at least one battery cell and the power source can supply power to the direct current electric motor when the cord is engaged with the electrical connector. 
     Example 126 
     The surgical instrument system of Example 124, further comprising a first battery circuit segment, wherein the first battery circuit segment includes the at least one battery cell, a second battery circuit segment, wherein the second battery circuit segment includes the alternating current to direct current power converter, and a switch positioned in the battery, wherein the switch is switchable between a first switch state in which the at least one battery cell can supply electrical power to the direct current electrical motor and the power supply cannot supply electrical power to the direct current electrical motor, and a second switch state in which the at least one battery cell cannot supply electrical power to the direct current electrical motor and the power supply can supply electrical power to the direct current electrical motor. 
     Example 127 
     The surgical instrument system of Example 126, wherein the switch is biased into the first switch state. 
     Example 128 
     The surgical instrument system of Examples 126 or 127, wherein the insertion of the cord into the battery electrical connector switches the switch from the first switch state into the second switch state. 
     Example 129 
     The surgical instrument system of Example 128, further comprising a biasing member configured to return the switch into the first switch state. 
     Example 130 
     The surgical instrument system of Examples 126, 127, or 128, wherein the switch is incapable of being returned to the first switch state after being placed in the second switch state. 
     Example 131 
     The surgical instrument system of Examples 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, or 130, further comprising a plurality of shaft assemblies, wherein each shaft assembly is selectively engageable with the handle. 
     Example 132 
     The surgical instrument system of Example 131, wherein at least one of the shaft assemblies comprises a stapling cartridge. 
     Example 133 
     A surgical instrument system comprising a handle including a handle housing, a handle battery cell positioned in the handle housing, a handle electrical circuit, wherein the handle battery cell is configured to supply power to the handle electrical circuit, and a handle electrical connector in communication with the handle electrical circuit. The surgical instrument system further comprises a supplemental battery selectively engageable with the handle, wherein the supplemental battery comprises a battery housing engageable with the handle housing, a battery electrical circuit, a supplemental battery cell positioned in the battery housing, wherein the supplemental battery cell is configured to supply power to the battery electrical circuit, and a battery electrical connector in communication with the battery electrical circuit, wherein the battery electrical connector is engageable with the handle electrical connector when the supplemental battery is engaged with the handle to place the battery electrical circuit in communication with the handle electrical circuit. 
     Example 134 
     The surgical instrument system of Example 133, wherein the handle housing comprises a gripping portion, and wherein the battery housing comprises a receptacle configured to receive the gripping portion. 
     Example 135 
     The surgical instrument system of Examples 133 or 134, wherein the handle further comprises a connector cover movable between a first position in which the connector cover inhibits accidental contact with the handle electrical connector and a second position in which the connector cover permits the battery electrical connector to engage the handle electrical connector. 
     Example 136 
     The surgical instrument system of Example 135, wherein the battery housing is configured to move the connector cover between the first position and the second position when the supplemental battery is engaged with the handle. 
     Example 137 
     The surgical instrument system of Examples 133, 134, 135, or 136, further comprising a plurality of shaft assemblies, wherein each shaft assembly is selectively engageable with the handle. 
     Example 138 
     The surgical instrument system of Example 137, wherein at least one of the shaft assemblies comprises a stapling cartridge. 
     Example 139 
     A surgical instrument comprising a housing, a motor, and a battery assembly attachable to the housing of the surgical instrument, the battery assembly comprising a battery cell configured to provide electrical energy to the motor and a battery housing comprising a support housing configured to support the battery cell, and a shock absorbing element configured to absorb shock provided by an impact force, wherein the shock absorbing element is configured to crumple when an impact force is applied to the shock absorbing element. 
     Example 140 
     The surgical instrument of Example 139, wherein the shock absorbing element is replaceable 
     Example 141 
     The surgical instrument of Examples 139 or 140, wherein the shock absorbing element comprises attachment means configured to permit the shock absorbing element to be attached to the battery assembly in a snap-fit fashion. 
     Example 142 
     The surgical instrument of Example 141, wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive. 
     Example 143 
     The surgical instrument of Examples 141 or 142, wherein the battery housing further comprises an aperture, and wherein the attachment means comprises a protrusion configured to be received by the aperture in the battery housing in a wedge-fit fashion. 
     Example 144 
     The surgical instrument of Examples 139, 140, 141, 142, or 143, wherein the shock absorbing element comprises a lattice structure. 
     Example 145 
     The surgical instrument of Examples 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, or 144 wherein, when the shock absorbing element crumples, the shock absorbing element deforms in an inward direction which still permits the attachment of the battery assembly to the housing of the surgical instrument after the shock absorbing element has been impacted. 
     Example 146 
     The surgical instrument of Examples 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, or 145, wherein the shock absorbing element crumples when the impact force is greater than a threshold force. 
     Example 147 
     The surgical instrument of Examples 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, or 146 wherein the battery assembly further comprises a plurality of corners, wherein the battery housing further comprises a plurality of the shock absorbing elements, and wherein the plurality of shock absorbing elements are positioned at each corner. 
     Example 148 
     The surgical instrument of Example 147, wherein the battery housing comprises an electrical contact configured to transmit electrical energy from the battery cell to the motor and a bottom face associated with the electrical contact, wherein each shock absorbing element comprises an end portion extending beyond the bottom face of the battery housing to protect the electrical contact. 
     Example 149 
     The surgical instrument of Examples 148 or 149, wherein each shock absorbing element comprises a bottom end and a top end, and wherein the battery assembly further comprises a shock absorbing cap positioned at the top ends of the shock absorbing elements. 
     Example 150 
     A battery assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the battery assembly comprising a battery cell, an electrical contact configured to transmit electrical energy provided by the battery cell to the surgical instrument when the battery assembly is attached to the surgical instrument, a first housing configured to support the battery cell, a second housing configured to house the first housing, and a shock absorbing layer positioned between the first housing and the second housing, wherein the shock absorbing layer comprises a lattice structure. 
     Example 151 
     The battery assembly of Example 150, wherein the shock absorbing layer comprises a foam-like material. 
     Example 152 
     The battery assembly of Examples 150 or 151, wherein the lattice structure comprises a plurality of cells, the plurality of cells comprising an inner cell comprising an inner planar wall, wherein the inner planar wall is oriented at least substantially parallel the first housing and an outer cell comprising an outer planar wall, wherein the outer planar wall is oriented at least substantially parallel the second housing. 
     Example 153 
     The battery assembly of Examples 150, 151, or 152, wherein the battery assembly further comprises a shock absorbing cap, the shock absorbing cap comprising an outer lattice and an inner lattice, wherein the outer lattice is more dense than the inner lattice. 
     Example 154 
     The battery assembly of Examples 150, 151, 152, or 153, wherein the shock absorbing layer comprises a plurality of dampening elements. 
     Example 155 
     A battery assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the battery assembly comprising a battery cell configured to provide power to the surgical instrument and a housing comprising a heat reflecting shell, a heat sink layer, and a compressible layer positioned between the heat sink layer and the heat reflecting shell, wherein the compressible layer is configured to flex in response to expansion of the battery cell. 
     Example 156 
     The battery assembly of Example 155, wherein the compressible layer is further configured to dissipate impact energy absorbed by the heat reflecting shell. 
     Example 157 
     The battery assembly of Examples 155 or 156, wherein the compressible layer comprises a lattice structure. 
     Example 158 
     The battery assembly of Example 157, wherein the lattice structure is a closed lattice structure defined by the heat reflecting shell and the heat sink layer. 
     Example 159 
     The battery assembly of Examples 155, 156, 157, or 158, wherein the heat reflecting shell comprises a first thermal expansion coefficient, wherein the heat sink layer comprises a second thermal expansion coefficient, and wherein the first thermal expansion coefficient is less than the second thermal expansion coefficient. 
     The entire disclosures of the following documents are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties:
         U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,312, entitled ELECTROSURGICAL HEMOSTATIC DEVICE, which issued on Apr. 4, 1995;   U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,818, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT HAVING SEPARATE DISTINCT CLOSING AND FIRING SYSTEMS, which issued on Feb. 21, 2006;   U.S. Pat. No. 7,422,139, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH TACTILE POSITION FEEDBACK, which issued on Sep. 9, 2008;   U.S. Pat. No. 7,464,849, entitled ELECTRO-MECHANICAL SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE SYSTEM AND ANVIL ALIGNMENT COMPONENTS, which issued on Dec. 16, 2008;   U.S. Pat. No. 7,670,334, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING AN ARTICULATING END EFFECTOR, which issued on Mar. 2, 2010;   U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,245, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS, which issued on Jul. 13, 2010;   U.S. Pat. No. 8,393,514, entitled SELECTIVELY ORIENTABLE IMPLANTABLE FASTENER CARTRIDGE, which issued on Mar. 12, 2013;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/343,803, entitled SURGICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING RECORDING CAPABILITIES; now U.S. Pat. No. 7,845,537;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,573, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT HAVING RF ELECTRODES, filed Feb. 14, 2008;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/031,873, entitled END EFFECTORS FOR A SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 15, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,980,443;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/235,782, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,210,411;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/249,117, entitled POWERED SURGICAL CUTTING AND STAPLING APPARATUS WITH MANUALLY RETRACTABLE FIRING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,045;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/647,100, entitled MOTOR-DRIVEN SURGICAL CUTTING INSTRUMENT WITH ELECTRIC ACTUATOR DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ASSEMBLY, filed Dec. 24, 2009; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,220,688;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/893,461, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE, filed Sep. 29, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,733,613;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/036,647, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT, filed Feb. 28, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,870;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/118,241, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE STAPLE DEPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0298719;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/524,049, entitled ARTICULATABLE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A FIRING DRIVE, filed on Jun. 15, 2012; now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0334278;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,025, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013;   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/800,067, entitled STAPLE CARTRIDGE TISSUE THICKNESS SENSOR SYSTEM, filed on Mar. 13, 2013;   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0175955, entitled SURGICAL CUTTING AND FASTENING INSTRUMENT WITH CLOSURE TRIGGER LOCKING MECHANISM, filed Jan. 31, 2006; and   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0264194, entitled SURGICAL STAPLING INSTRUMENT WITH AN ARTICULATABLE END EFFECTOR, filed Apr. 22, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,308,040.       

     Although the various embodiments of the devices have been described herein in connection with certain disclosed embodiments, many modifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to perform a given function or functions. The foregoing description and following claims are intended to cover all such modification and variations. 
     The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the device can be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts of the device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application. 
     Preferably, the invention described herein will be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument is obtained and if necessary cleaned. The instrument can then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument are then placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation kills bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument can then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container keeps the instrument sterile until it is opened in the medical facility. 
     While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. 
     Any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated materials does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.