Patent attributes
A control circuit for a surgical instrument includes a shaft control segment, a first electrical conductor configured to conduct a first electrical signal between the shaft control segment and a releasable surgical instrument cartridge, an electrosurgical energy control segment, a second electrical conductor configured to conduct a second electrical signal between the electrosurgical energy control segment and the releasable surgical instrument cartridge, and a connector electrically coupled to the electrosurgical energy control segment and configured to receive electrosurgical generator energy from an electrosurgical generator. The electrosurgical energy control segment is configured to detect a connection of the electrosurgical generator to the connector and to electrically isolate the shaft control segment from the electrosurgical generator energy when the electrosurgical energy control segment detects the connection of the electrosurgical generator to the connector.