abstract |
A surgical stapling system including a shaft assembly transmits actuation motion from the actuator, and the end effector compresses and staples the tissue. The end effector comprises an elongate channel, an anvil having a staple forming surface and movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the elongate channel, and a staple cartridge removably positioned within the elongate channel. . The staple cartridge includes a body having a tissue contacting surface in a relationship facing the staple forming surface, a plurality of staple drivers in the cartridge body that respectively support the staples, and a tissue thickness compensator positionable between the anvil and the staple cartridge. The tissue thickness compensator is captured by the staples and exhibits different compressed heights within the different staples. The tissue compensator includes a first conductive element. The system determines the characteristics of the tissue compressed between the anvil and the staple cartridge. |