Surgical stapler with insertable distal anvil tip

摘要

A surgical instrument includes a body, a shaft, and an end effector that is operable to compress, staple, and cut tissue. The end effector includes and anvil and a cartridge. The anvil has a body and a modular releasable curved tip that connects with the body. The curved tip is elastically deformable in response to force exerted on the curved tip when tissue is clamped between the anvil and cartridge. The curved and deformable features of anvil provide for an end effector with improved visualization and maneuverability, in particular during procedures involving marching. The modular nature of the curved anvil tip provides for an end effector that allows anvil tip replacement due to wear or interchangeability based on a user preference or procedure.