Patent ID: 11896221
Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 14:
15. A staple cartridge usable with a surgical instrument, the staple cartridge comprising:
a deck comprising a first zone and a second zone, wherein the second zone is distal to the first zone;
an elongate slot extending through the deck, wherein the elongate slot defines a first lateral side of the deck and a second lateral side of the deck opposite the first lateral side of the deck;
a plurality of staple cavities defined in the deck;
staples removably positioned in the plurality of staple cavities;
wherein the first zone comprises:
a first portion of the elongate slot; and
a first impedance sensing electrode configured to sense a thickness of tissue positioned in the first zone, wherein advancement of a knife through the first portion of the elongate slot is based on the sensed thickness of tissue in the first zone;

wherein the second zone comprises:
a second portion of the elongate slot; and
a second impedance sensing electrode configured to sense a thickness of tissue positioned in the second zone, wherein advancement of the knife through the second portion of the elongate slot is based on the sensed thickness of tissue in the second zone; and

wherein the second impedance sensing assembly and the first impedance sensing assembly are independently addressable.