Tissue relaxation monitoring for optimized tissue stitching

The invention relates to tissue relaxation monitoring for optimized tissue stitching. A circular suturing device is disclosed, and the circular suturing device comprises a handle assembly, wherein the handle assembly comprises a processor; an adapter assembly which comprises a trocar assembly and a strain gauge assembly; a reloading assembly which is operably fixed to the adapter assembly, wherein the reloading assembly comprisesa staple cartridge; and an anvil assembly releasably secured to the trocar assembly and movably positioned relative to the cartridge between a spaced position and a clamped position. The processor includes software for determining when tissue clamped between the cartridge and the anvil assembly has reached a predetermined percentage of tissue relaxation. The invention also discloses a method of optimizing tissue relaxation during a stapling procedure, and the method includes comprises the steps of clamping tissue between an anvil assembly and a reloading assembly, calculating a tissue