Devices, systems, and methods for detecting tissue and foreign objects during a surgical operation

A surgical system, comprising:

• a surgical instrument comprising:
• an end effector comprising jaws configured to transition between an opened condition and a closed condition;
• and
• a plurality of electrodes positioned within the jaws of the end effector, wherein each electrode of the plurality of electrodes is positioned about a longitudinal axis defined by the end effector;
• and
• a computer system communicably coupled to the surgical instrument, wherein the computer system comprises a control circuit and a memory configured to store an algorithm configured to cause the control circuit to:
• receive signals from the plurality of electrodes;
• determine a first impedance signal based on the signals received from the plurality of electrodes;
• detect a foreign object in associate with tissue positioned between the jaws of the end effector based on the first impedance signal;
• and
• generate an alert associated with the foreign object.

A method of characterizing a foreign object associated with tissue positioned between jaws of an end effector of a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

• receiving, via a control circuit of the surgical instrument, signals from a plurality of electrodes positioned within the jaws of the end effector;
• determining, via the control circuit, a first impedance signal based on the signals received from the plurality of electrodes;
• detecting, via the control circuit, the foreign object associated with tissue positioned between the jaws of the end effector based on the first impedance signal;
• generating, via the control circuit, an alert associated with the foreign object;
• and
• characterizing, via the control circuit, the foreign object based on the first impedance signal.