End effector including magnetic and impedance sensors

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• an end effector, comprising:
• a first jaw;
• a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween;
• a staple cartridge comprising staples deployable into the tissue;
• an anvil comprising pockets, wherein the staples are deformable against the pockets of the anvil;
• a magnetic sensor configured to measure a parameter indicative of an identifying characteristic of the staple cartridge;
• an impedance sensor configured to measure a parameter indicative of an impedance of the tissue;
• and
• a processing unit in communication with the impedance sensor, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine a property of the tissue based on an output of the impedance sensor;
• an articulation joint extending proximally from the end effector;
• a shaft extending proximally from the articulation joint, wherein the articulation joint is configured to facilitate articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft;
• and
• a flex cable connected to the processing unit, the flex cable extending proximally from the end effector into the shaft, wherein the flex cable is configured to transmit power to the processing unit without interfering with the articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• an end effector, comprising:
• a first jaw;
• a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween;
• a staple cartridge comprising staples deployable into the tissue;
• an anvil comprising pockets, wherein the staples are deformable against the pockets of the anvil;
• a magnet;
• a Hall Effect sensor configured to measure a parameter of a magnetic field emitted by the magnet, wherein the parameter is indicative of an identifying characteristic of the staple cartridge;
• an impedance sensor configured to measure a parameter indicative of an impedance of the tissue;
• and
• a processing unit in communication with the impedance sensor, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine a property of the tissue based on an output of the impedance sensor;
• an articulation joint extending proximally from the end effector;
• a shaft extending proximally from the articulation joint, wherein the articulation joint is configured to facilitate articulation of the end effector relative to the shaft;
• and
• a flex cable connected to the processing unit, the flex cable extending proximally from the end effector into the shaft.