Sensing curved tip for surgical stapling instruments

A surgical stapling instrument, comprising:

• an elongate body having a distal end;
• a stapling end effector pivotally secured to the distal end of the elongate body, the stapling end effector having a distal end and including:
• an anvil assembly having a distal end and defining a plurality of staple forming pockets;
• a cartridge assembly pivotal relative to the anvil assembly such that the end effector is movable between open and clamped positions, the anvil assembly supporting a plurality of staples which are aligned with the plurality of staple forming pockets when the end effector is in the clamped position;
• and
• a sensing tip disposed on the distal end of the stapling end effector, the sensing tip being formed of a flexible material and including at least one sensor for measuring at least one mechanical property.