Patent attributes
A surgical instrument system comprising an end effector, a staple cartridge, a cutting member, an electric motor, a sensing system, and a control system is disclosed. The end effector comprises a proximal portion, a distal end, a first iaw, and a second iaw movable relative to the first iaw to clamp tissue between the first and second iaw. The cutting member is configured to move within a longitudinal channel of the staple cartridge. The electric motor is couplable to the cutting member and configured to drive the cutting member. The sensing system comprises a plurality of sensing circuits. Each sensing circuit comprises first and second sensing elements positioned adjacent the longitudinal channel. The control system is configured to determine impedances of the tissue at multiple locations along a staple line as the cutting member progresses distally within the longitudinal channel and automatically control a speed of the electric motor.
