Method of hub communication with surgical instrument systems

Abstract

A method for adjusting the operation of a clip applier using machine learning in a surgical suite is disclosed. The method comprises gathering data during surgical procedures, wherein the surgical procedures include the use of a clip applier comprising a crimping drive configured to be mechanically advanced through a crimping stroke. The method further comprises analyzing the gathered data to determine an appropriate operational adjustment of the clip applier and adjusting the operation of the clip applier to improve the operation of the clip applier.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for adjusting the operation of a clip applier using machine learning in a surgical suite, wherein said method comprises:
 gathering data during surgical procedures, wherein the surgical procedures include the use of a clip applier comprising a crimping drive configured to be mechanically advanced through a crimping stroke;   analyzing the gathered data to determine an appropriate operational adjustment of the clip applier; and   adjusting the operation of the clip applier to improve the operation of the clip applier.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein gathering data comprises storing data in a surgical hub. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the clip applier is attached to a surgical robot and is configured to be operated manually by a clinician. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the operation of the clip applier comprises adjusting the length of the crimping stroke of the crimping drive. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the operation of the clip applier comprises adjusting the speed of the crimping stroke of the crimping drive. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein gathering data comprises monitoring each crimping stroke during use of the clip applier using a crimping drive detection circuit. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting the operation of the clip applier comprises placing a power control program of a surgical robot to which the clip applier is attached in a limp mode. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein gathering data comprises accessing existing information based on previous operations. 
     
     
         9 . A method for adjusting control parameters of a clip applier using a surgical hub, wherein said method comprises:
 gathering data during surgical procedures, wherein each surgical procedure includes the use of a clip applier comprising a crimping drive configured to be advanced through a crimping stroke;   evaluating the gathered data to determine the appropriate operation of the clip applier;   operating the clip applier;   monitoring the operation of the clip applier;   determining if the operation of the clip applier needs to be adjusted based on the evaluated data; and   adjusting the operation of the clip applier.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein gathering data comprises storing data in a surgical hub system. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein adjusting the operation of the clip applier comprises adjusting a power control program configured to operate a motor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the motor mechanically advances the crimping drive, and wherein the adjustment comprises changing the length of the crimping stroke of the crimping drive. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the motor mechanically advances the crimping drive, and wherein the adjustment comprises adjusting the speed of the crimping stroke of the crimping drive. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein gathering data comprises monitoring each crimping stroke during the use of the clip applier using a crimping drive detection circuit. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein adjusting the operation of the clip applier comprises placing a power control program to which the clip applier is attached in a limp mode. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein gathering data comprises accessing existing information based on previous operations. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein determining if the operation of the clip applier needs to be adjusted is based on the anticipated crimping stroke length and the actual crimping stroke length. 
     
     
         18 . A method for adjusting the operation of a clip applier using a surgical hub, wherein the clip applier comprises an end effector and a firing system comprising a motor, wherein the end effector comprises a crimping drive and a crimping drive detection circuit, wherein the firing system is configured to apply control motions to the crimping drive to advance the crimping drive through a crimping stroke to crimp a clip around patient tissue, wherein the crimping drive detection circuit is configured to detect a parameter of the crimping drive during the crimping stroke, and wherein the method for adjusting control parameters of the clip applier comprises:
 evaluating data originating from the detection circuit and the surgical hub;   determining if the control motions of the clip applier need to be adjusted based on the evaluated data; and   adjusting the operation of the clip applier.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the clip applier is attached to a surgical robot and is configured to be operated manually by a clinician. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the data from the surgical hub comprises data gathered during previous operations.