Multiple sensors with one sensor affecting a second sensor's output or interpretation

An end effector comprising:

• a first jaw member defining an anvil;
• a second jaw member configured to receive a cartridge therein, wherein the first jaw member is moveable with respect to the second jaw member;
• a first sensor coupled to the anvil, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure a first parameter;
• and
• a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are related, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with a processor, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor comprise redundant sensors, wherein the second parameter comprises the first parameter, wherein the processor is configured to compare an output of the first sensor to an output of the second sensor, and wherein the processor selects a most reliable output.

An end effector comprising:

• a first jaw member defining an anvil, wherein at least one strain gauge is coupled to the anvil;
• a second jaw member configured to receive a cartridge therein, wherein the first jaw member is moveable with respect to the second jaw member;
• a first sensor coupled to the anvil, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure a first parameter and comprises a Hall effect sensor;
• a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter, wherein the second sensor comprises a first strain gauge, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are related, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with a processor, and wherein the processor is configured to modify a measurement of the first parameter in response to a measurement of the second parameter;
• a magnet coupled to the second jaw member;
• and
• one or more additional strain gauges coupled to the anvil.

An end effector comprising:

• a first jaw member defining an anvil;
• a second jaw member configured to receive a cartridge therein, wherein the first jaw member is moveable with respect to the second jaw member;
• a first sensor coupled to the anvil, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure a first parameter;
• and
• a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are related, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with a processor, wherein the first sensor is calibrated based on an output of the second sensor, and wherein the second sensor is configured to measure one or more instrument conditions.

A process for determining the clamp geometry of an end effector, the process comprising:

• receiving, by a processor, a first signal from a first sensor indicative of a first parameter of an end effector measured by the first sensor, wherein the end effector comprises a first jaw member and a second jaw member, wherein the first jaw member is moveable with respect to the second jaw member;
• receiving, by the processor, a second signal from a second sensor indicative of a second parameter of the end effector measured by the second sensor;
• determining, by the processor, the clamp geometry of the first jaw member and the second jaw member based on the first signal and the second signal;
• and
• calibrating, by the processor, the first sensor in response to the second signal, wherein the second signal identifies a calibration table for the first sensor.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a handle comprising a processor;
• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the shaft is removably coupled to the handle at the proximal end;
• and
• an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising:
• a first jaw member defining an anvil;
• a second jaw member configured to receive a cartridge therein, wherein the first jaw member is moveable with respect to the second jaw member;
• and
• a first sensor coupled to the anvil, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure a first parameter, and wherein the first sensor comprises a Hall effect sensor;
• and
• a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are related, and wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with the processor, wherein the processor is configured to modify a measurement of the first parameter in response to a measurement of the second parameter, and wherein the second sensor comprises a first strain gauge;
• a magnet coupled to the second jaw member;
• and
• one or more additional strain gauges coupled to the anvil.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a handle comprising a processor;
• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the shaft is removably coupled to the handle at the proximal end;
• an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising:
• a first jaw member defining an anvil;
• a second jaw member configured to receive a cartridge therein, wherein the first jaw member is moveable with respect to the second jaw member;
• and
• a first sensor coupled to the anvil, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure a first parameter;
• and
• a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are related, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with the processor, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor comprise redundant sensors and wherein the second parameter comprises the first parameter;
• and
• a plurality of strain gauges coupled to the anvil.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a handle comprising a processor;
• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the shaft is removably coupled to the handle at the proximal end;
• an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising:
• a first jaw member defining an anvil;
• a second jaw member configured to receive a cartridge therein, wherein the first jaw member is moveable with respect to the second jaw member;
• and
• a first sensor coupled to the anvil, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure a first parameter;
• and
• a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are related, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with the processor, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor comprise redundant sensors and wherein the second parameter comprises the first parameter, wherein the processor is configured to compare an output of the first sensor to an output of the second sensor, and wherein the processor selects a most reliable output.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a handle comprising a processor;
• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the shaft is removably coupled to the handle at the proximal end;
• and
• an end effector coupled to the distal end of the shaft, the end effector comprising:
• a first jaw member defining an anvil;
• a second jaw member configured to receive a cartridge therein, wherein the first jaw member is moveable with respect to the second jaw member;
• and
• a first sensor coupled to the anvil, wherein the first sensor is configured to measure a first parameter;
• and
• a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter, wherein the first parameter and the second parameter are related, wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are in signal communication with the processor, wherein the first sensor is calibrated based on an output of the second sensor, and wherein the second sensor is configured to measure one or more instrument conditions.