Compact system used to determine tissue or artifact characteristics

A surgical system comprising:

• a tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• a first jaw and a second jaw pivotally attached at the distal end of the tubular shaft;
• and
• at least one light emitter and at least one light sensor, the at least one light emitter being disposed along a surface of the first jaw and the at least one light sensor being disposed along a surface of the second jaw with the surface of the first jaw facing the surface of the second jaw, each of the at least one light emitter and at least one light sensor coupled to at least one lead,
• the first and second jaws each having an inwardly facing surface, the inwardly facing surface of the first jaw disposed transverse to the surface of the first jaw along which the at least one light emitter is disposed and the inwardly facing surface of the second jaw disposed transverse to the surface of the second jaw along which the at least one light sensor is disposed, and the inwardly facing surfaces define at least in part one or more clearances therebetween in which the at least one lead coupled to the at least one light emitter and the at least one lead coupled to the at least one light sensor are disposed,
• wherein a spacer is disposed in a space between the inwardly facing surfaces of the first and second jaws, the inwardly facing surfaces and the spacer defining the one or more clearances in which the at least one lead coupled to the at least one light emitter and the at least one lead coupled to the at least one light sensor are disposed.