Instrument for optically detecting tissue attributes

Abstract

A jaw assembly including first and second jaw members configured to clamp tissue therebetween. The first jaw member includes a surface opposing a surface of the second jaw member, a light source, and a light detector. The light source is configured to emit light from an opening defined in the surface of the first jaw member. The light detector is disposed within the opening and is configured to sense properties of light reflected off tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members and to generate signals indicative of the sensed properties of light. A processor is operatively associated with the light detector and is configured to receive the signals from the light detector. The processor is also configured to analyze the signals to determine an attribute of tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members and to provide feedback to a user of the attribute of the tissue.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A jaw assembly comprising:
 first and second jaw members moveable relative to one another between an open configuration and a clamped configuration, the first and second jaw members configured to clamp tissue therebetween in the clamped configuration, the first jaw member including:
 a surface opposing a surface of the second jaw member; 
 an opening defined in the surface of the first jaw member; 
 a light source configured to emit light from the opening; and 
 a light detector disposed within the opening, the light detector configured to sense properties of light reflected off tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members and to generate signals indicative of the sensed properties of light; and 
   a processor operatively associated with the light detector, the processor configured to:
 receive signals indicative of properties of light from the light detector; 
 analyze the signals to determine an attribute of tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members; and 
 provide feedback to a user of the attribute of tissue clamped between the first and second jaw member.