Surgical stapling apparatus

An end effector for selective connection to a surgical apparatus, the end effector comprising:

• a first jaw;
• a staple cartridge supported on the first jaw, the staple cartridge defining a tissue contacting surface, wherein the staple cartridge is divided into a plurality of independent, separately movable segments, and at least one staple retaining slot is defined in each segment;
• a second jaw connected to the first jaw, the second jaw supporting an anvil, the anvil defining a plurality of staple forming recesses arranged in juxtaposed correspondence with the plurality of staple retaining slots of the staple cartridge;
• and
• a pressure sensing element interposed between each staple cartridge segment and the first jaw, wherein each pressure sensing element senses a force exerted on each respective staple cartridge segment.

An electro-surgical stapling system, comprising:

• a powered surgical apparatus including:
• a handle portion configured and adapted to releasably connect a surgical stapling end effector thereto, the handle portion including an actuator for connection to the end effector and for driving the end effector, a motor for driving the actuator, a power source for powering the motor, and a controller for controlling at least one of the power source and the motor;
• an end effector configured for selective connection to the handle portion of the powered surgical apparatus, the end effector including:
• a first jaw;
• a staple cartridge supported on the first jaw, the staple cartridge defining a tissue contacting surface, wherein the staple cartridge is divided into a plurality of independent, separately movable segments, and at least one staple retaining slot is defined in each segment;
• a second jaw connected to the first jaw, the second jaw supporting an anvil, the anvil defining a plurality of staple forming recesses arranged in juxtaposed correspondence with the plurality of staple retaining slots of the staple cartridge;
• and
• a pressure sensing element interposed between each staple cartridge segment and the first jaw, wherein each pressure sensing element senses a force exerted on each respective staple cartridge segment,
• wherein each pressure sensing element is in electrical communication with the controller, and
• wherein the controller stops at least one of approximation of the first jaw and the second jaw, and firing of the powered surgical apparatus when a force exerted on at least one of the staple cartridge segments and sensed by the respective pressure sensing elements exceeds a predetermined threshold force.