Powered surgical instrument

Abstract

A surgical instrument including a housing, an endoscopic portion, a shaft portion and an end effector is disclosed. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the housing and defines a longitudinal axis. The shaft portion is selectively connectable to a distal end of the endoscopic portion. The end effector is selectively connectable to a distal end of the shaft portion.

1 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a housing;   an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a first longitudinal axis;   a shaft portion selectively connectable to a distal end of the endoscopic portion; and   an end effector selectively connectable to a distal end of the shaft portion.   
   
   
       2 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , further including a motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing, the motor being configured to drive at least one function of the end effector. 
   
   
       3 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the end effector defines a second longitudinal axis, the end effector being movable from a first position where the second longitudinal axis is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis to at least a second position where the second longitudinal axis is disposed at an angle to the first longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       4 . The surgical instrument of  claim 3 , further comprising a motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing, the motor being configured to cause the end effector to move from its first position towards its second position. 
   
   
       5 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the end effector includes a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly, the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly being arranged for being approximated to engage tissue therebetween. 
   
   
       6 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising a linkage rod arranged for translation substantially along the longitudinal axis and for engaging at least one of a portion of the shaft portion and the end effector. 
   
   
       7 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface, the user interface including a screen that displays a condition of the end effector. 
   
   
       8 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the shaft portion is flexible. 
   
   
       9 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the shaft portion is curved. 
   
   
       10 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the shaft portion is made from a compliant material. 
   
   
       11 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the shaft portion is configured to accept a plurality of types of end effectors. 
   
   
       12 . The surgical instrument of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of types of end effectors includes end effectors having a pivotable cartridge assembly, a substantially circular cartridge assembly and parallel jaw members. 
   
   
       13 . The surgical instrument of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one sensor disposed in communication with the end effector for helping to determine the type of end effector that is engaged with the shaft portion. 
   
   
       14 . The surgical instrument of  claim 1 , wherein the endoscopic portion is configured to accept a plurality of types of shaft portions. 
   
   
       15 . The surgical instrument of  claim 14 , further comprising at least one sensor disposed in communication with the shaft portion for helping to determine the type of shaft portion that is engaged with the endoscopic portion. 
   
   
       16 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a housing;   an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis;   a drive gear disposed at least partially within the housing, the drive gear rotatable about a drive gear axis extending therethrough and being selectively movable along the drive gear axis;   a drive motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to rotate the drive gear;   a shift motor disposed in mechanical cooperation with the drive gear and being configured to move the drive gear along the drive gear axis;   a shaft portion selectively connectable to a distal end of the endoscopic portion; and   an end effector selectively connectable to a distal end of the shaft portion.   
   
   
       17 . The surgical instrument of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the shaft portion is at least one of flexible and curved. 
   
   
       18 . The surgical instrument of  claim 16 , wherein the shaft portion is configured to accept a plurality of types of end effectors. 
   
   
       19 . A method of applying surgical fasteners to tissue, comprising the steps of:
 providing a powered surgical instrument, including:
 a housing; 
 an endoscopic portion extending distally from the housing and defining a longitudinal axis; 
 a shaft portion selectively connectable to a distal end of the endoscopic portion; and 
 an end effector selectively connectable to a distal end of the shaft portion; 
 connecting the shaft portion to the distal end of the endoscopic portion; and 
 connecting the end effector to the distal end of the shaft portion. 
   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the shaft portion is configured to accept a plurality of types of end effectors. 
   
   
       21 - 31 . (canceled)