Modular battery powered handheld surgical instrument and methods therefor

A surgical instrument comprising:

• a handle assembly coupled to a proximal end of a shaft assembly;
• the shaft assembly coupled to a distal end of the handle assembly;
• and
• an end effector coupled to a distal end of the shaft assembly, and comprising:
• a first jaw and a second jaw configured for pivotal movement between a closed position and an open position;
• and
• a segmented flexible circuit fixedly attached to the first jaw and positioned between the first jaw and the second jaw such that the segmented flexible circuit touches tissue when the first jaw and the second jaw close onto the tissue;
• the segmented flexible circuit comprising:
• a plurality of segments comprising a distal segment fixedly attached to a distal end of the first jaw, and a plurality of lateral segments fixedly attached to lateral sides of the first jaw;
• wherein each segment of the plurality of segments comprises an electrode, an electrical insulation, a compressive layer, a laminate layer, and a plurality of data sensors positioned intermediate the electrode and the first jaw, wherein the plurality of data sensors comprises a temperature sensor and two force sensors, wherein the electrical insulation is positioned between the electrode and the temperature sensor, wherein the temperature sensor is positioned between the electrical insulation and one of the force sensors, wherein the one of the force sensors is positioned between the temperature sensor and the compressive layer, wherein the compressive layer is positioned between the one of the force sensors and the other of the force sensors, wherein the other of the force sensors is positioned between the compressive layer and the laminate layer, wherein the laminate layer is positioned between the other of the force sensors and the first jaw;
• a plurality of electrical connectors, wherein the plurality of electrical connectors electrically couples the plurality of segments to an energy source;
• and
• wherein each segment of the plurality of segments is individually addressable to treat the tissue by providing a first power level from the energy source to a first electrode of a first segment of the plurality of segments without providing the first power level to a second electrode of a second segment of the plurality of segments, and wherein an amount of power provided to each of the plurality of segments is determined based on data provided by the plurality of data sensors corresponding to each segment of the plurality of segments.