Patent ID: 7419081
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical fastener applying apparatus, comprising: a cartridge half-section supporting a pair of camming surface extensions extending from a cam bar arrangement; an anvil half-section, said cartridge and anvil half-sections being relatively movable from an unclamped position to a clamped position; a first clamp lever operatively connected to the cartridge half-section and a second clamp lever operatively connected to the anvil half-section; wherein each clamp lever is movable between a first position in which the cartridge and anvil half sections are in the unclamped position, and a second position in which the cartridge and anvil half sections are in the clamped position; and a pivotably mounted firing lever operatively associated with said pair of camming surface extensions to move said pair of camming surface extensions longitudinally to thereby sequentially fire said plurality of surgical staples in a direction transverse to a direction of travel of said pair of camming surface extensions, wherein the firing lever is pivotable to extend to a right side and left side of the apparatus.