Surgical instruments and system and methods for using surgical instruments are disclosed. A surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade and clamp arm, an electrode, an ultrasonic transducer, and a sensor coupled to a control circuit. The electrode receives electrosurgical energy from a generator and applies the electrosurgical energy to the end effector to weld tissue based on the generator generating a drive signal. The ultrasonic transducer ultrasonically oscillates the ultrasonic blade in response to the drive signal. The control circuit receives a signal from the sensor indicative of a surgical parameter, determines a weld time of a surgical operation based on the sensor signal, and varies one or more of a clamp arm pressure applied by the clamp arm and a power level of the electrosurgical energy to maintain one or more of a predefined heat flux or power applied to tissue loaded in the end effector.

Various surgical systems are disclosed. A surgical system comprises a hub comprising a generator; a robot comprising a tool mount; an energy tool releasably mounted to the tool mount and operably coupled to the generator; a control console; and a wireless communication path extending between the energy tool and the control console. A wired communication path extends between the energy tool and the control console. The wireless communication path is configured to transmit data indicative of a detected tissue parameter to the control console.

A flexible electrode of a surgical instrument is disclosed. The flexible electrode includes a therapeutic electrode, a sensing electrode and an insulative layer. The therapeutic electrode is couplable to a source of radiofrequency energy. The insulative layer is positioned between the therapeutic electrode and the sensing electrode. The therapeutic electrode and the sensing electrode are configured to contact tissue positioned between first and second jaws of the surgical instrument.

Surgical systems can include evacuation systems for evacuating smoke, fluid, and/or particulates from a surgical site. A surgical evacuation system can be intelligent and may include one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties of the surgical system, evacuation system, surgical procedure, surgical site, and/or patient tissue, for example.

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to transition the end effector through different closure stages between an open configuration and a closed configuration to clamp tissue between the ultrasonic blade and the clamp arm. The surgical instrument further comprises a transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic energy output, a waveguide configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy output to the ultrasonic blade, and a sensor configured to transmit sensor signals indicative of the closure stages of the end effector. The surgical instrument further comprises a control circuit configured to receive the sensor signals and select an operational mode from operational modes delivering different ultrasonic energy outputs from the transducer based on the received sensor signals.

A surgical instrument is disclosed. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade and a clamp arm. The clamp arm is movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to transition the end effector between an open configuration and a closed configuration to clamp tissue between the ultrasonic blade and the clamp arm. The surgical instrument further comprises a transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic energy output and a waveguide configured to transmit the ultrasonic energy output to the ultrasonic blade. The surgical instrument further comprises a control circuit configured to monitor a parameter of the surgical instrument, wherein crossing an upper predetermined threshold of the parameter causes the control circuit to effect a first electromechanical system, and wherein crossing a lower predetermined threshold of the parameter causes the control circuit to effect a second electromechanical system different than the first electromechanically system.

Surgical systems can include evacuation systems for evacuating smoke, fluid, and/or particulates from a surgical site. A surgical evacuation system can be intelligent and may include one or more sensors for detecting one or more properties of the surgical system, evacuation system, surgical procedure, surgical site, and/or patient tissue, for example.

Various systems and methods for controlling the activation of energy surgical instruments are disclosed. An advance energy surgical instrument, such an electrosurgical instrument or an ultrasonic surgical instrument, can include one or more sensor assemblies for detecting the state or position of the end effector, arm, or other components of the surgical instrument. A control circuit can be configured to control the activation of the surgical instrument according to the state or position of the components of the surgical instrument.

A surgical stapling instrument includes an end effector that has a first jaw; a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw between an open configuration and a closed configuration to grasp tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw; an anvil; and a staple cartridge with staples deployable into the tissue and deformable by the anvil. The surgical stapling instrument further includes a control circuit configured to: determine tissue impedances at predetermined zones; detect an irregularity in tissue distribution within the end effector based on the tissue impedances; and adjust a closure parameter of the end effector in accordance with the irregularity.

A return pad of an electrosurgical system is disclosed. The return pad includes a plurality of conductive members and a plurality of sensing devices. The conductive members are configured to receive radio frequency current applied to a patient. The sensing devices are configured to detect at least one of the following: a nerve control signal applied to the patient; and a movement of an anatomical feature of the patient resulting from application of the nerve control signal.