Patent Document ID: 8864761
Application ID: 12720859
Patent Status: 1

Claim One:
1. A system for identifying a target anatomical structure having a fluid flow therein, comprising: at least one surgical device including a pair of opposing jaw members movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp the target anatomical structure, the at least one surgical device including a sensor assembly operably coupled to a processing unit, the sensor assembly including a transmitting electrode disposed on one of the jaw members and configured to transmit at least one electrical signal generated by the processing unit through the target anatomical structure to elicit a measurable response from the target anatomical structure, the sensor assembly including a receiving electrode disposed on the other of the jaw members and configured to receive the measurable response from the target anatomical structure, the processing unit configured to determine a pressure range applied by the pair of jaw members to the target anatomical structure for eliciting the measurable response by: 1) detecting a threshold change in the measurable response received from the target anatomical structure as grasping pressure of the pair of jaw members is increased, the threshold change corresponding to an occlusion of the target anatomical structure; and 2) receiving the measurable response from the target anatomical structure after the grasping pressure of the pair of jaw members is sufficiently reduced in response to the detection of the threshold change to allow fluid to flow through the target anatomical structure; the processing unit configured to calculate a signature property value of the target anatomical structure based on the measurable response, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine an identity of the target anatomical structure based on a comparison between the signature property value and at least one other signature property value; and an indicator operably coupled to the processing unit and configured to alert a user of the identity of the target anatomical structure.