Postioning method for stapler with compliant tip

A method comprising:

• receiving user input at an input control device to cause a first movement of a first jaw from a first location within the surgical site at a first side of a tissue structure toward a second side of the tissue structure within a surgical site, the first jaw including a proximal end portion and a distal end portion, the distal end portion of the first jaw having a flexible guide secured thereto, the flexible guide having an extended shape and including a base portion coupled to a distal end portion of the first jaw and a tip portion distally spaced apart from the distal end portion of the first jaw;
• positioning an endoscope to capture images to provide a surgeon's view of the tissue structure at the surgical site, for display at a display system, such that the tissue structure obscures the tip portion behind the tissue structure during the first movement from the first side of the tissue structure toward the second side of the tissue structure;
• the flexible guide changing to a bended shape, in response to the tip portion contacting the tissue structure during the first movement, by increasingly bending with decreasing distance between the first jaw and the anatomical structure, to protect the anatomical structure from damage;
• using the display system to display images that show the tissue structure obscuring the flexible guide during the first movement and to display images that show the flexible guide unobscured by the tissue structure when the flexible guide reaches the second side of the tissue structure;
• and
• in response to the images displayed at the display system showing the flexible guide unobscured by the tissue structure when the flexible guide reaches the second side of the tissue structure, receiving user input at an input control device to cause a second jaw, pivotally mounted at a pivot axis at the proximal end portion of the first jaw, to rotate about the pivot axis to capture staple target tissue structure between the first jaw and the second jaw.