Signal and power communication system positioned on a rotatable shaft

A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:

• a handle;
• a shaft assembly comprising a drive member;
• an end effector comprising a first jaw and second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw between an open position and a closed position;
• a magnet configured to generate a magnetic field;
• a rotatable output shaft operably coupled with said drive member, wherein said rotatable shaft is rotatable about a longitudinal axis to drive said drive member;
• a wire coil wound around said rotatable output shaft, wherein said wire coil is positioned in said magnetic field, and wherein said wire coil is rotated within said magnetic field when said rotatable output shaft is rotated about said longitudinal axis to induce a current in said wire coil;
• and
• a circuit mounted to said rotatable output shaft, wherein said wire coil is electrically coupled to said circuit, and wherein said circuit is powered by said current induced in said wire coil.

A surgical instrument assembly, comprising:

• a handle;
• a shaft assembly comprising a drive member;
• an end effector comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein said first jaw is movable relative to said second jaw;
• a rotatable output shaft operably coupled with said drive member;
• a circuit mounted to said output shaft;
• means for generating an electromagnetic field;
• and
• means mounted to said output shaft for generating electrical power and for supplying electrical power to said circuit when said output shaft is rotated within said electromagnetic field.