Staple cartridge tissue thickness sensor system

A staple cartridge for use in a surgical stapler for treating tissue, the staple cartridge comprising:

• a staple body comprising a proximal end and a distal end;
• a plurality of staples removably stored within said staple body, wherein said plurality of staples is configured to be used to staple tissue within an optimal tissue thickness range;
• a tissue thickness module adjacent to said distal end of said staple body, said tissue thickness module comprising:
• a sensor configured to generate a tissue thickness signal indicative of a thickness of tissue adjacent to said staple body;
• and
• a controller in signal communication with said sensor, wherein said controller comprises identifying means for identifying a staple cartridge type, and wherein said controller is configured to utilize said staple cartridge type and said tissue thickness signal to determine if said thickness is within said optimal tissue thickness range.

A tissue thickness sensing module for attachment to a surgical staple cartridge configured for treatment of tissue, the tissue thickness sensing module comprising:

• a sensor configured to detect a magnetic field and generate a tissue thickness signal indicative of a thickness of tissue adjacent to said surgical staple cartridge;
• a controller in signal communication with said sensor, wherein said controller comprises an identifier means for identifying a staple cartridge type, and wherein said controller is configured to utilize said staple cartridge type and said tissue thickness signal to determine if said thickness is within an optimal tissue thickness range for said surgical staple cartridge;
• a transmitter in signal communication with said controller;
• and
• at least one power source configured to supply power to said controller and said transmitter.

A surgical staple cartridge, comprising:

• a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a thickness of tissue positioned between jaws of an end effector configured to carry the staple cartridge;
• and
• a controller electrically connected to the sensor, wherein the controller is configured to:
• determine if the thickness of the tissue is within an optimal tissue thickness range for the staple cartridge;
• and
• generate a status signal indicative of whether the thickness of the tissue is within the optimal tissue thickness range.