Surgical instrument with imaging device

A loading unit configured for engagement with a surgical instrument, the loading unit comprising:

• an end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, at least one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member being movable with respect to the other of the first jaw member or the second jaw member between an open position and an approximated position, a first portion of the second jaw member being disposed parallel to a first portion of the first jaw member when the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in the approximated position;
• a first imaging device disposed on the first portion of the first jaw member, the first imaging device configured to capture visual data;
• and
• a second imaging device disposed on the first portion of the second jaw member, the second imaging device configured to capture visual data.

An end effector configured for use with a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:

• a first jaw member and a second jaw member, at least one of the first jaw member or the second jaw member being movable with respect to the other of the first jaw member or the second jaw member between an open position and an approximated position;
• a first imaging device disposed on the first jaw member;
• and
• a second imaging device disposed on the second jaw member, the first imaging device disposed parallel to the second imaging device when the first jaw member and the second jaw member are in the approximated position.

A method of using a surgical instrument, comprising:

• capturing a first image from a first imaging device disposed on a first jaw member of an end effector;
• capturing a second image from a second imaging device disposed on a second jaw member of the end effector;
• and
• moving the first jaw member relative to the second jaw member such that the first imaging device moves from a first position where the first imaging device is non-parallel to the second imaging device, to a second position where the first imaging device is parallel to the second imaging device.