Surgical devices having controlled tissue cutting and sealing

A surgical method, comprising:

• engaging a tissue between first and second jaws of an end effector of a surgical device;
• applying electrical energy to a portion of the tissue positioned between the end effector;
• and
• causing a motor of the surgical device to supply power to a cutting element of the surgical device such that the cutting element advances through the tissue so as to cut the tissue;
• and
• when the cutting element is advancing through the tissue, sensing an amount of the applied electrical energy traveling through the portion of tissue engaged by the end effector and generating a control signal in response to the sensed amount of the applied electrical energy that changes an amount of the power supplied to the motor between different non-zero levels of power so as to adjust a speed of the cutting element.

A surgical device, comprising:

• a proximal handle portion that includes a motor;
• an elongate shaft extending distally from the proximal handle portion;
• an end effector having first and second jaws pivotably coupled to a distal end of the elongate shaft, the first and second jaws including first and second electrodes configured to apply energy to a tissue disposed therebetween;
• an actuator configured to receive an input of pressure from a user that causes the motor to provide power to advance a cutting element;
• a sensor configured to sense current moving between the first and second electrodes;
• a controller configured to slow a speed of the cutting element in response to the sensed current exceeding a threshold amount by causing a speed of the motor to decrease;
• and
• a speed sensor configured to sense the speed of the motor, wherein the controller is configured to cause the speed of the motor to decrease until the speed sensor senses the speed of the motor reaching a desired speed corresponding to a desired speed of the cutting element.