Electrical surgical instrument with minimum closure distance for staple firing control

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a stapling end effector comprising a proximal effector end and a staple-applying assembly having two opposing stapling surfaces defining a closure distance therebetween, wherein at least one of the stapling surfaces is movable with respect to the other of the stapling surfaces;
• a shaft having a proximal shaft end and a distal shaft end, wherein the distal shaft end is connected to the stapling end effector at the proximal effector end;
• and
• a handle connected to the proximal shaft end and comprising:
• a power source;
• a staple-firing assembly:
• comprising a first electric motor that is supplied with power from the power source;
• and
• operatively connected to the staple-applying assembly and, when actuated by the first electric motor, causing the staple-applying assembly to staple tissue disposed between the two opposing stapling surfaces;
• and
• a closure assembly comprising:
• a second electric motor that is supplied with power from the power source;
• a drive part:
• selectively moved by the second electric motor along a drive-part axis passing through the shaft;
• and
• operatively connected to the stapling end effector such that, when the second electric motor is supplied with power, the drive part advances the at least one movable stapling surface towards the opposing stapling surface;
• a detection mechanism operable to detect a position of the drive part along the drive-part axis;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to the staple-firing assembly and the detection mechanism, the controller configured to prevent actuation of the staple-firing assembly unless the drive part is at a position corresponding to a closure distance within a pre-defined range,
• wherein the power source, first electric motor, second electric motor, and controller are entirely contained within the handle.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a stapling end effector comprising a staple-applying assembly having an anvil and a staple cartridge, wherein at least the anvil is movable with respect to the staple cartridge;
• and
• a handle connected to the stapling end effector and comprising:
• a power source;
• a staple-firing assembly:
• comprising a first electric motor that is supplied with power from the power source;
• and
• operatively connected to the staple-applying assembly and, when actuated by the first electric motor, causing the staple-applying assembly to staple tissue disposed between the anvil and the staple cartridge;
• and
• a closure assembly comprising:
• a second electric motor that is supplied with power from the power source;
• a drive part:
• selectively moved by the second electric motor along a drive-part axis;
• and
• operatively connected to the stapling end effector such that, when the second electric motor is supplied with power, the drive part advances the anvil towards the staple cartridge, wherein a distance between the anvil and the staple cartridge defines an anvil-cartridge gap;
• a detection mechanism operable to detect a position of the drive part along the drive-part axis;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to the staple-firing assembly and the detection mechanism, the controller configured to prevent actuation of the staple-firing assembly unless the drive part is at a position corresponding to an anvil-cartridge gap within a pre-defined range,
• wherein the power source, first electric motor, second electric motor, and controller are entirely contained within the handle.