Surgical instrument with wireless communication between control unit and remote sensor

A surgical instrument comprising:

• an end effector comprising at least one sensor;
• an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft;
• and
• a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the control unit to the sensor and to receive radiated signals from the sensor.

A surgical instrument comprising:

• an end effector comprising at least one sensor;
• an electrically conductive shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector, wherein the sensor is electrically coupled to the shaft;
• and
• a control unit electrically insulated from the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the sensor to the control unit and to receive radiated signals from the control unit.

A method comprising:

• obtaining a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:
• an end effector comprising at least one sensor;
• a shaft having a distal end connected to the end effector wherein the sensor is electrically insulated from the shaft;
• and
• a control unit electrically coupled to the shaft such that the shaft is configured to radiate signals from the control unit to the sensor and to receive radiated signals from the sensor;
• sterilizing the surgical instrument;
• and
• storing the surgical instrument in a sterile container.