Surgical stapling system having an information decryption protocol

A surgical system, comprising:

• a surgical instrument, comprising:
• an elongate shaft;
• and
• an end effector extending from said elongate shaft, wherein said end effector comprises:
• a first jaw;
• and
• a second jaw;
• a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in said first jaw, wherein said replaceable staple cartridge comprises:
• a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck;
• staples removably stored in said cartridge body;
• and
• a sled configured to drive said staples out of said cartridge body during a staple firing stroke;
• a retainer releasably attached to said replaceable staple cartridge, wherein said retainer extends over said cartridge deck;
• a first RFID tag comprising a first set of encrypted information;
• a second RFID tag comprising a second set of encrypted information;
• an RFID scanner configured to receive said first set of encrypted information and said second set of encrypted information;
• and
• a controller in signal communication with said RFID scanner, said controller comprising a first internal key, wherein said controller uses said first internal key to decrypt said first set of encrypted information, wherein said controller releases a second internal key only if said first set of encrypted information is recognized by said controller, wherein said controller uses said second internal key to decrypt said second set of encrypted information, and wherein said controller prevents said surgical instrument from performing an operational function if at least one of said first set of encrypted information and said second set of encrypted information is unable to be recognized.

A surgical system, comprising:

• a surgical instrument, comprising:
• an elongate shaft;
• and
• an end effector extending from said elongate shaft, wherein said end effector comprises:
• a first jaw;
• and
• a second jaw;
• a replaceable staple cartridge configured to be seated in said first jaw, wherein said replaceable staple cartridge is stored in a packaging prior to being seated in said first jaw, wherein said packaging comprises a first RFID tag, wherein said first RFID tag comprises a first set of encrypted information, and wherein said replaceable staple cartridge comprises:
• a cartridge body comprising a cartridge deck;
• staples removably stored in said cartridge body;
• a sled configured to drive said staples out of said cartridge body during a staple firing stroke;
• and
• a second RFID tag comprising a second set of encrypted information;
• a retainer releasably attached to said replaceable staple cartridge, wherein said retainer extends over said cartridge deck, and wherein said retainer comprises a third RFID tag comprising a third set of encrypted information;
• an RFID scanner configured to receive said first set of encrypted information, said second set of encrypted information, and said third set of encrypted information;
• and
• a controller in signal communication with said RFID scanner, said controller comprising a first internal key, wherein said controller uses said first internal key to decrypt said first set of encrypted information, wherein said controller releases a second internal key if said controller determines that said first set of encrypted information is compatible for use with said surgical system, wherein said controller does not release said second internal key if said controller is unable to determine that said first set of encrypted information is compatible for use with said surgical system, wherein said controller uses said second internal key to decrypt said second set of encrypted information, wherein said controller releases a third internal key if said controller determines that said second set of encrypted information is compatible for use with said surgical system, wherein said controller uses said third internal key to decrypt said third set of encrypted information, and wherein said surgical instrument is inoperable if at least one of said first set of encrypted information, said second set of encrypted information, and said third set of encrypted information is incompatible for use with said surgical system.

A surgical system, comprising:

• a surgical instrument, comprising:
• an elongate shaft;
• an end effector extending from said elongate shaft, wherein said end effector comprises:
• a first jaw;
• and
• a second jaw;
• and
• a cartridge configured to be replaceably seated in said first jaw;
• a plurality of RFID tags, comprising:
• a first RFID tag comprising a first set of encrypted information;
• and
• a second RFID tag comprising a second set of encrypted information;
• an RFID scanner configured to receive said first set of encrypted information, said second set of encrypted information;
• and
• a controller in signal communication with said RFID scanner, said controller comprising a first internal key, wherein said controller uses said first internal key to decrypt said first set of encrypted information, wherein said controller only releases a second internal key if said controller determines that said first set of encrypted information is compatible for use with said surgical system, wherein said controller uses said second internal key to decrypt said second set of encrypted information, and wherein an operation of said surgical instrument is prevented if at least one of said first set of encrypted information and said second set of encrypted information is unable to be recognized.