US 11,717,285 B2
Surgical cutting and fastening instrument having RF electrodes
David C. Yates, Morrow, OH (US); Thomas W. Huitema, West Chester, OH (US); and Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Hillsboro, OH (US)
Assigned to Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed by Cilag GmbH International, Zug (CH)
Filed on Sep. 24, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/580,286.
Application 16/580,286 is a continuation of application No. 14/668,426, filed on Mar. 25, 2015, granted, now 10,470,763.
Application 14/668,426 is a continuation of application No. 12/031,573, filed on Feb. 14, 2008, abandoned.
Prior Publication US 2020/0100783 A1, Apr. 2, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 18/14 (2006.01); A61B 17/068 (2006.01); A61B 17/10 (2006.01); A61B 17/072 (2006.01); A61B 90/98 (2016.01); A61B 17/32 (2006.01); A61B 17/3205 (2006.01); A61B 17/115 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 18/12 (2006.01); A61B 90/00 (2016.01)
CPC A61B 17/068 (2013.01) [A61B 17/072 (2013.01); A61B 17/07207 (2013.01); A61B 17/105 (2013.01); A61B 17/3205 (2013.01); A61B 17/320016 (2013.01); A61B 18/14 (2013.01); A61B 18/1445 (2013.01); A61B 90/98 (2016.02); A61B 17/0686 (2013.01); A61B 17/115 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00017 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00022 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00398 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00734 (2013.01); A61B 2017/07214 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00875 (2013.01); A61B 2018/124 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1455 (2013.01); A61B 2090/0807 (2016.02)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
an elongate shaft;
an end effector movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein said end effector comprises:
a first jaw, wherein said first jaw comprises:
a longitudinal axis; and
an array of electrodes; and
a second jaw, wherein a tissue gap is defined between said first jaw and said second jaw when said end effector is in said closed configuration;
a staple firing drive comprising an electric motor, a cutting member coupled to said electric motor, and a firing member, wherein said firing member is movable through a staple firing stroke; and
a control system in communication with said staple firing drive and said array of electrodes, wherein said control system is configured to:
sense an operating parameter of said surgical instrument; and
automatically slow a speed of said electric motor as said cutting member advances through tissue positioned between said first and second jaws.