Control arrangements for a drive member of a surgical instrument

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a microcontroller comprising a processor configured to execute computer readable instructions;
• and
• a memory coupled to the microcontroller;
• wherein the processor is operative to:
• access from the memory characterization data representative of a relationship between articulation angle of an end effector and effective transection length distal of an articulation joint;
• track the articulation angle of the end effector during use of the surgical instrument;
• and
• adjust a target transection length based on the tracked articulation angle and the stored characterization data.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• an end effector comprising an articulation joint;
• flexible knife bands configured to translate from a position proximal of the articulation joint to a position distal of the articulation joint;
• a microcontroller comprising a processor operative to execute computer readable instructions;
• and
• a memory coupled to the microcontroller;
• wherein the processor is operative to:
• access from the memory characterization data representative of a relationship between articulation angle of an end effector and effective transection length distal of the articulation joint;
• track the articulation angle of the end effector during use of the surgical instrument;
• and
• adjust a target transection length based on the known articulation angle and the stored characterization data.