A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The shaft includes a first sensor element. An end effector is coupled to the distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a second sensor element. A handle is connected to the proximate end of the shaft. The handle includes a control unit. The control unit is in communication with the first sensor element and the first sensor element is in wireless communication with the second sensor element.
