An end effector for use with a surgical stapling instrument is disclosed. The end effector comprises a first jaw, a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to grasp tissue therebetween, and a staple cartridge. The staple cartridge comprises staples deployable into the tissue. The end effector further comprises a magnetic sensor configured to measure a parameter indicative of an identifying characteristic of the staple cartridge, an impedance sensor configured to measure a parameter indicative of an impedance of the tissue, and a processing unit in communication with the impedance sensor. The processing unit is configured to determine a property of the tissue based on an output of the impedance sensor.

A staple cartridge assembly for use with a surgical stapler and surgical stapling systems are disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body comprising a proximal end. A plurality of staples. A plurality of electrical contacts positioned at the proximal end of the cartridge body and electrically coupleable to the electrical connector upon the installation of the replaceable staple cartridge assembly in the end effector along a distal-to-proximal installation motion and electrically decoupleable from the electrical connector upon removal of the replaceable staple cartridge assembly from the end effector along a proximal-to-distal removal motion.

A system comprises a tool including a first target, a receiving member configured to receive the tool, and a first reader positioned along the receiving member. The first reader is configured to detect a presence indication of the first target of the tool when the first target is proximate the first reader as the tool is inserted into the receiving member and an absence indication of the first target of the tool when the first target is out of range of the first reader as the tool is inserted into the receiving member. The system further comprises a control system communicatively linked to the first reader. The control system is configured to receive one or more of the presence and absence indications of the first target from the first reader to create a detected insertion signature of the received tool.

A staple cartridge for use with a surgical stapler and surgical stapling systems are disclosed. The staple cartridge comprises a cartridge body having a tissue-contacting surface. One or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) are positioned at the edges of the tissue-contacting surface. A plurality of staple drivers is located within the cartridge body each supporting a staple.

A surgical guide system for assisting a user controlling a surgical tool, comprising: a first reference guide member, operably coupleable to a fixed object having at least one predetermined feature, configured to define a first reference frame within a three-dimensional space; a control unit, adapted to capture an image of at least said fixed object and identify, from a predetermined list comprising a plurality of fixed objects, said fixed object, and provide a first input signal indicative of said identified fixed object, further adapted to determine the position and orientation of said at least one predetermined feature relative to said first reference frame based on said first input signal, and provide a first output signal on a visual output device adapted to guide the user moving, positioning and orientating the surgical tool towards and into engagement with said predetermined feature.