Surgical stapling apparatus

A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:

• a first jaw member comprising an anvil;
• a second jaw member;
• and
• a staple cartridge supported by the first jaw member, the staple cartridge comprising:
• a biasing member;
• opposed outer side surfaces;
• and
• a tissue contacting surface including a segment that is movable prior to the firing of the surgical stapling apparatus, wherein the segment:
• extends between an inner end portion and an outer end portion, wherein the outer end portion extends to at least one of the opposed outer side surfaces of the staple cartridge;
• and
• is positioned on the biasing member to move from a first position aligned with a tissue contacting plane of the tissue contacting surface towards a second position away from the tissue contacting plane.

A surgical stapling apparatus, comprising:

• a first jaw member comprising an anvil;
• a second jaw member;
• a staple cartridge supported by the first jaw member, the staple cartridge comprising:
• a biasing member;
• opposed outer side surfaces;
• a tissue contacting surface including a segment that is movable prior to the firing of the surgical stapling apparatus, wherein the segment:
• extends between an inner end portion and an outer end portion, wherein the outer end portion extends to at least one of the opposed outer side surfaces of the staple cartridge;
• and
• is positioned on the biasing member to move from a first position aligned with a tissue contacting plane of the tissue contacting surface towards a second position away from the tissue contacting plane;
• and
• a pressure responsive element positioned adjacent the segment;
• and
• a controller operatively coupled to the pressure responsive element, the controller configured to:
• receive a signal from the pressure responsive element, the signal representative of applied pressure as staples are fired;
• and
• communicate feedback to an end user via at least one of:
• audible feedback, visual feedback, tactile feedback, or a combination thereof, the feedback representative of one of a successful or an unsuccessful completion of fastener deployment.