Surgical instrument cartridge sensor assemblies
Various cartridge assemblies for surgical instruments are provided. Cartridge assemblies can include active sensors for applying stimuli to a tissue clamped by an end effector of the surgical instrument and a circuit configured to determine a tissue type of the tissue according to a change in the tissue parameter detected by the sensor resulting from a stimulus from the active element. Cartridge assemblies can also include physical features and/or stored data that identify the cartridge. Surgical instruments further can be configured to resolve conflicts when the physical features and/or stored data are not consistent with each other in their identification of the cartridge type.
1. A cartridge for a surgical instrument configured to grasp a tissue, the cartridge comprising:
a circuit, comprising:
an active element configured to stimulate the tissue; and
a sensor configured to take measurements corresponding to a tissue parameter associated with the tissue;
wherein the circuit is configured to determine a tissue type of the tissue according to a change in the tissue parameter detected by the sensor resulting from a stimulus from the active element, wherein the active element comprises a heating element and the stimulus comprises thermal energy, and wherein the heating element comprises a heating grid.
2. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure a change in a temperature of the tissue resulting from the thermal energy applied by the heating element.
3. The cartridge of claim 2 , measuring the change in the temperature comprises measuring a rate of change of the temperature.
4. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the circuit comprises a flex circuit.
5. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises a stapler cartridge.
6. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the heating grid is configured to apply the thermal energy to the tissue at localized regions of the heating grid.
7. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a temperature sensor.
8. A cartridge for a surgical instrument configured to grasp a tissue, the cartridge comprising:
a circuit, comprising:
an active element configured to stimulate the tissue; and
a sensor configured to take measurements corresponding to a tissue parameter associated with the tissue;
wherein the circuit is configured to determine a tissue type of the tissue according to a change in the tissue parameter detected by the sensor resulting from a stimulus from the active element, wherein the active element comprises a pressure-applying element and the stimulus comprises pressure, and wherein the pressure-applying element is configured to deform in shape to stimulate the tissue.
9. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the pressure-applying element comprises an electroactive polymer.
10. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the sensor is configured to measure a viscoelastic response of the tissue resulting from the pressure applied by the pressure-applying element.
11. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the circuit comprises a flex circuit.
12. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the cartridge comprises a stapler cartridge.
13. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the pressure-applying element comprises a magnetic polymer.
14. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the sensor comprises a force sensor.
15. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the sensor comprises an impedance sensor.
16. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the sensor comprises a gap sensor.