A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure includes an elongate shaft, an end effector extending from the elongate shaft, and a control system. The end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position. The control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to store program instructions. The processor can alert the operator when the end effector reaches the home state position from the articulated position.

A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure includes an elongate shaft, an end effector extending from the elongate shaft, and a control system. The end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position. The control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to store program instructions. The processor can alert the operator when the end effector reaches the home state position from the articulated position.

A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate shaft, an end effector, and control system having a processor and a memory. The handle assembly is movable between a plurality of positions and includes an interface. The control system can cause the processor to toggle between a plurality of interface configurations each associated with one of the positions of the handle assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, the control system can toggle the interface between a primary interface configuration with operational controls and a secondary interface configuration with navigation controls. Additionally, or alternatively, the interface can include a touchscreen configured to provide a firing input signal to the processor. Additionally, or alternatively, a surgical assembly can include the surgical instrument and a remote operating unit with a secondary interface configured to control the end effector.

A surgical instrument for use by an operator in a surgical procedure includes an elongate shaft, an end effector extending from the elongate shaft, and a control system. The end effector is articulatable relative to the elongate shaft between a home state position and an articulated position. The control system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor to store program instructions. The processor can alert the operator when the end effector reaches the home state position from the articulated position.

A method of operating an intelligent programmable logic controller over a plurality of scan cycles includes creating, by the intelligent programmable logic controller, a process image area in a volatile computer-readable storage medium operably coupled to the intelligent programmable logic controller. The intelligent programmable logic controller then updates the process image area during each scan cycle with contents comprising data associated with a production unit. The contents of the process image area are stored by the intelligent programmable logic controller during each scan cycle on a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium operably coupled to the intelligent programmable logic controller. The intelligent programmable logic controller annotates the contents of the process image area with automation system context information to generate contextualized data.

In various instances, the surgical instrument can include a data storage protocol and/or at least one security feature. The surgical instrument can include a locking circuit, for example. In various instances, the surgical instrument can include sensors and/or magnets for detecting various characteristics of the surgical instrument, surgical operation, and/or surgical site. The surgical instrument can require a temporary access code for operating and/or can be selected for connection to an external display. A surgical system can include a first modular component, a second modular component, and a feedback system. The feedback system can include an engagement sensor, which can detect the engagement and/or degree of engagement of the first modular component and the second modular component.

A surgical instrument including a shaft, an end effector extending distally from the shaft, a display, and a system or sensor configured to monitor a status of the surgical instrument. The display is configured to display information pertaining to the detected status of the surgical instrument. In one embodiment, the display displays a subsequent step of operating the surgical instrument. In another embodiment, the display displays a subsequent step of assembling the surgical instrument. The display is additionally configured to enter a low-power mode.

A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, an elongate shaft, an end effector, and control system having a processor and a memory. The handle assembly is movable between a plurality of positions and includes an interface. The control system can cause the processor to toggle between a plurality of interface configurations each associated with one of the positions of the handle assembly. Additionally, or alternatively, the control system can toggle the interface between a primary interface configuration with operational controls and a secondary interface configuration with navigation controls. Additionally, or alternatively, the interface can include a touchscreen configured to provide a firing input signal to the processor. Additionally, or alternatively, a surgical assembly can include the surgical instrument and a remote operating unit with a secondary interface configured to control the end effector.