Method and system to determine an optimal tissue compression time to implant a surgical element

1. A method for determining an optimal compression of tissue to apply a surgical element, the method comprising:

applying a load to the tissue;

determining a reactive load applied by the tissue in response to the load;

determining the reactive load per unit time for a predetermined time period;

determining a slope of the reactive load per unit time;

evaluating the slope relative to a predetermined threshold; providing a signal to a user when the slope exceeds the predetermined threshold; and

applying the surgical element to the tissue subsequent to the step of providing the signal to the user.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reactive load is determined using a load cell.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reactive load is determined using a strain gauge.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reactive load is determined using a pressure gauge.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a signal to the user is accomplished visually.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a signal to the user is accomplished audibly.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the load is compressive.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the load is tensile.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of evaluating the slope relative to the predetermined threshold comprises evaluating the slope until the slope has a negligible change in the slope per unit time.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of evaluating the slope relative to the predetermined threshold comprises evaluating the slope until the slope has a zero change in the slope per unit time.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of evaluating the slope relative to the predetermined threshold comprises evaluating the slope until the slope exceeds a threshold change in the slope per unit time.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of evaluating the reactive load relative to a predetermined maximum damaging force is-applied, the maximum damaging force being too great for the tissue.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of evaluating the reactive load relative to a predetermined minimum force and increasing the load applied to the tissue until the minimum force is applied.

14. A method for determining an optimal compression of tissue to apply a surgical element, the method comprising:

applying a load to the tissue;

determining a first reactive load applied by the tissue in response to the load;

determining a second reactive load applied by the tissue in response to the load, wherein the second reactive load is determined after a predetermined time period has elapsed after the determining the first reactive load;

transmitting the first and second reactive loads to a programmable controller, the programmable controller including circuitry to determine a change in the reactive load per unit time for the predetermined time period;

determining the change in the reactive load per unit time for the predetermined time period with the programmable controller;

evaluating the change in the reactive load per unit time with respect to a predetermined threshold; and

sending a signal from the programmable controller if the change in the reactive load per unit time exceeds the predetermined threshold.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the steps of:

a. determining a first reactive load;

b. determining a second reactive load;

c. transmitting the first and second reactive loads to a programmable controller;

d. determining the change in the reactive load per unit time; and

e. evaluating the change in the reactive load per unit time

are repeated if the change in the reactive load per unit time does not exceed the predetermined threshold.