A compression gauge cartridge for use mounted in a cartridge bay of a cartridge jaw member of a surgical stapler instrument to compress a tissue consistently to a predetermined thickness and measure a reactionary load therefrom comprises: a cartridge body； a force gauge assembly comprising a force transducer and a compression head having a tissue compression ace, wherein the force gauge assembly is supported by the cartridge body, and wherein the compression head is configured and disposed so that the tissue compression face thereof lies substantially closer to the tissue contacting surface of the anvil jaw member than the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body； and a spacer member extending from the tissue supporting surface of the cartridge body, wherein the force gauge assembly is positioned distally with respect to the spacer member.
