Modular battery powered handheld surgical instrument with selective application of energy based on tissue characterization

A surgical instrument comprising:

• a shaft assembly comprising a shaft and an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw configured for pivotal movement between a closed position and an open position;
• a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of the shaft;
• a battery assembly coupled to the handle assembly;
• a radio frequency (RF) energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply RF energy to a tissue;
• an ultrasonic energy output powered by the battery assembly and configured to apply ultrasonic energy to the tissue;
• and
• a controller configured to:
• measure that the first jaw and the second jaw close onto tissue with a substantially constant amount of force;
• after the substantially constant amount of force is reached, measure a tissue characteristic, wherein the tissue characteristic comprises at least one of:
• a change in the tissue associated with a change in position of the first and second jaws from the open position to a position where the first and second jaws are closed onto the tissue;
• and
• an amount of impedance of the tissue;
• implement a wait period after the substantially constant amount of force is reached, wherein the wait period is a predetermined duration where no RF energy and no ultrasonic energy is applied to the tissue, and wherein a magnitude of the wait period is a predetermined duration that is inversely proportional to a magnitude of the measured tissue characteristic;
• and
• start application of RF energy by the RF energy output or application of ultrasonic energy by the ultrasonic energy output at a first time right after the wait period completes.