# US 2017/0281180 A1 · Anvil modification members for surgical staplers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0281180 A1 - Document ID: US20170281180A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/089,331 - Filed: 2016-04-01 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-01 - Assignees: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. - Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC - Inventors: Jerome R. Morgan; Jason L. Harris; Frederick E. Shelton, IV - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170281180A1 ## CPC - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 17/0644: {penetrating the tissue, deformable to closed position} - A61B 17/068: Surgical staplers {, e.g. containing multiple staples or clamps}({staplers containing only one staple A61B17/10; magazines or containers for staples A61B17/105;} for performing anastomosis A61B17/115; {staplers in general B25C5/00}) - A61B 17/0686: {having a forming anvil staying below the tissue during stapling} - A61B 17/072: for applying a row of staples in a single action, e.g. the staples being applied simultaneously - A61B 17/105: {Wound clamp magazines (for packaging sharps A61B50/3001)} - A61B 17/1155: {Circular staplers comprising a plurality of staples} - A61B 17/07292: {Reinforcements for staple line, e.g. pledgets} - A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments} - A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output} - A61B 2017/00367: {Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like} - A61B 2017/0038: {Simultaneous actuation of two tools by pushing one button or the like} - A61B 2017/00393: {with means for switching between functions} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/00407: {Ratchet means} - A61B 2017/00424: {ergonomic, e.g. fitting in fist} - A61B 2017/0046: {with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable} - A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments} - A61B 2017/00473: {Distal part, e.g. tip or head (A61B2017/00464 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00477: {Coupling (A61B2017/0046 takes precedence)} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2017/07221: {curved} - A61B 2017/07228: {Arrangement of the staples} - A61B 2017/07235: {containing different staples, e.g. staples of different shapes, sizes or materials} - A61B 2017/07242: {achieving different staple heights during the same shot, e.g. using an anvil anvil having different heights or staples of different sizes} - A61B 2017/0725: {with settable gap between anvil and cartridge, e.g. for different staple heights at different shots} - A61B 2017/07264: {characterised by its staple forming cavities, e.g. geometry or material} - A61B 2017/07271: {characterised by its cartridge} - A61B 2017/07278: {characterised by its sled or its staple holder} - A61B 2017/07285: {characterised by its cutter} - A61B 2017/2903: {transferring rotary motion} - A61B 2017/2908: {Multiple segments connected by articulations} - A61B 2017/291: {the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/2912: {transmission of forces to actuating rod or piston} - A61B 2017/2922: {toggle linkages} - A61B 2017/2923: {Toothed members, e.g. rack and pinion} - A61B 2017/2927: {the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft} - A61B 2017/293: {with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod} - A61B 2017/2932: {Transmission of forces to jaw members} - A61B 2090/034: {abutting on parts of the device itself} - A61B 2090/0808: {for indicating correct assembly of components, e.g. of the surgical apparatus} - A61B 2090/0811: {for the position of a particular part of an instrument with respect to the rest of the instrument, e.g. position of the anvil of a stapling instrument} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A surgical system includes an anvil that has, one, an elongate slot extending longitudinally along a length of the anvil and, two, a plurality of first staple-forming pockets. The surgical system further includes an anvil modification member releasably attachable to the anvil, wherein the anvil modification member comprises a plurality of second staple-forming pockets. In addition, the surgical system also includes a staple cartridge that has a plurality of staples formable by the plurality of first staple-forming pockets when the anvil modification member is not attached to the anvil, and wherein the staples are formable by the plurality of second staple-forming pockets when the anvil modification member is attached to the anvil. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical stapler, comprising: an anvil assembly, comprising: an anvil, comprising: an elongate slot extending longitudinally along a length of the anvil; a first anvil section on a first side of the elongate slot, wherein the first anvil section comprises a plurality of first staple-forming pockets; and a second anvil section on a second side of the elongate slot, wherein the second anvil section comprises a plurality of second staple-forming pockets; an anvil modification member attached to the anvil, wherein the anvil modification member comprises: a first portion positioned against the first anvil section, wherein the first portion comprises a plurality of third staple-forming pockets; and a second portion positioned against the second anvil section, wherein the second portion comprises a plurality of fourth staple-forming pockets. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the first staple-forming pockets comprise a first pocket arrangement, wherein the third staple-forming pockets comprise a second pocket arrangement different from the first pocket arrangement. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surgical stapler of claim 2, wherein the second staple-forming pockets comprise the first pocket arrangement, wherein the fourth staple-forming pockets comprise the second pocket arrangement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the anvil modification member further comprises a transectable portion between the first portion and the second portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The surgical stapler of claim 4, wherein the transectable portion is positioned against the elongate slot. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the anvil modification member comprises an implantable layer releasably attached thereto. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the anvil modification member comprises at least one gap filler configured to occupy at least one gap between the anvil modification member and the anvil when the anvil modification member is attached to the anvil. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the anvil modification member comprises at least one attachment feature configured to attach the anvil modification member to the anvil. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The surgical stapler of claim 8, wherein the at least one attachment feature comprises a beveled edge, wherein the anvil comprises an outer wall, and wherein the beveled edge is configured to be flush with the outer wall when the anvil modification member is attached to the anvil. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The surgical stapler of claim 1, wherein the first staple-forming pockets are arranged along a first longitudinal axis, wherein the second staple-forming pockets are arranged along a second longitudinal axis, wherein the third staple-forming pockets are arranged along a third longitudinal axis, wherein the third longitudinal axis is not aligned with the first longitudinal axis, wherein the fourth staple-forming pockets are arranged along a fourth longitudinal axis, and wherein the fourth longitudinal axis is not aligned with the second longitudinal axis. ### Claim 11 An anvil modification member for use with an anvil of a surgical stapler, wherein the anvil modification member comprises: a body; an anvil-contacting surface configured to be positioned against the anvil; a tissue-contacting surface comprising a plurality of staple-forming pockets; and at least one attachment feature configured to releasably secure the body to the anvil. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The anvil modification member of claim 11, wherein the body comprises an elongate slot. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The anvil modification member of claim 11, further comprising a transectable portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The anvil modification member of claim 13, wherein the transectable portion is positionable against an elongate slot of the anvil. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The anvil modification member of claim 11, further comprising an implantable layer releasably attached to the tissue-contacting surface. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The anvil modification member of claim 11, further comprising at least one gap filler configured to occupy at least one gap between the anvil modification member and the anvil when the anvil modification member is attached to the anvil. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The anvil modification member of claim 11, wherein the at least one attachment feature comprises a beveled edge, wherein the anvil comprises an outer wall, and wherein the beveled edge is configured to be flush with the outer wall when the anvil modification member is attached to the anvil. ### Claim 18 A surgical system, comprising: an anvil, comprising: an elongate slot extending longitudinally along a length of the anvil; and a plurality of first staple-forming pockets; an anvil modification member releasably attachable to the anvil, wherein the anvil modification member comprises a plurality of second staple-forming pockets; and a staple cartridge comprising a plurality of staples formable by the plurality of first staple-forming pockets when the anvil modification member is not attached to the anvil, and wherein the staples are formable by the plurality of second staple-forming pockets when the anvil modification member is attached to the anvil. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The surgical system of claim 18, further comprising an implantable layer releasably attached to the anvil modification member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The surgical system of claim 18, wherein the anvil modification member comprises at least one gap filler configured to occupy at least one gap between the anvil modification member and the anvil when the anvil modification member is attached to the anvil. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The surgical system of claim 18, wherein the anvil modification member comprises at least one attachment feature configured to attach the anvil modification member to the anvil.