Interchangeable tools for surgical instruments

A tissue-measuring unit for use with a surgical instrument comprising a drive system configured to be removably coupled to a disposable loading unit configured to cut and staple tissue, said tissue-measuring unit comprising:

• a housing comprising a bayonet coupling feature configured to be coupled to the drive system of the surgical instrument and defining a longitudinal axis;
• a carrier coupled to said housing;
• a first member movably supported distal to said housing for selective movement relative to said carrier in response to closure motions from the surgical instrument;
• and
• a tissue thickness measuring cartridge comprising a tissue measuring platform movably supported in said carrier and configured to move toward and away from an underside of said first member in a direction that is transverse to said longitudinal axis, said tissue thickness measuring cartridge further comprising an indicator member to provide an indication of a thickness range of tissue clamped between said first member and said tissue thickness measuring cartridge such that said indicator member is viewable through a location on said housing that is proximal to said first member.

A surgical tool for use with a surgical instrument including a handle assembly and an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis, said surgical tool comprising:

• a first jaw;
• and
• a second jaw assembly operably interfacing with the elongated body and being operably coupled to said first jaw at an attachment location such that said first jaw is selectively movably relative to said second jaw assembly between open and closed positions in response to control motions applied thereto from the elongated body and wherein said second jaw assembly comprises:
• a non-movable portion;
• a deflectable portion supported for deflection toward said non-movable portion in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal axis upon clamping of tissue between the deflectable portion and the first jaw;
• and
• a sensor arrangement supported between said non-movable portion and said deflectable portion to provide an indication of a thickness of the tissue being clamped between said first jaw and said deflectable portion such that said indication is viewable at a location on said surgical tool that is proximal to said attachment location when in use.

A surgical system, comprising:

• a first jaw comprising a tissue compression surface;
• and
• a second jaw, wherein said first jaw and said second jaw are connected to one another at a rotation joint, and wherein said second jaw comprises:
• a frame portion defining a longitudinal axis;
• a deflectable portion positioned intermediate said tissue compression surface of said first jaw and said frame portion of said second jaw, wherein said deflectable portion is configured to deflect in a direction that is transverse to said longitudinal axis in response to closure of said first jaw onto tissue situated between said first and second jaws;
• and
• an indicator configured to indicate a thickness of said tissue located between said first jaw and second jaws at a location which is proximal to said rotation joint.