A surgical stapling device, comprising: a handle portion ; an elongated central body portion ; and a single use loading unit , wherein: the elongated body portion is rotatably secured to the handle portion; a connection mechanism is provided for removably securing the single use loading unit to the elongated central body portion of the stapling device, the single use loading unit includes a proximal body portion , an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly ; and the intermediate pivot member is pivotally connected to the proximal body portion about a first axis and pivotally connected to the tool assembly about a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis, the surgical stapling device further comprising: a rotation control member rotatably fastened to the handle portion; an articulation actuator which is supported on a semi-spherical base member for omni-directional movement, the base member being secured about the rotation control member, the base member and rotation control member being coaxial with the elongated central body portion and located about a proximal portion of the elongated central body portion; a plurality of articulation links (176a-d) having a first end operably connected to the articulation actuator and a second end adapted to be releasably connected to articulation links of the single use loading unit (306a-d), wherein: the articulation links of the single use loading unit are operably connected to the tool assembly by cables or non-rigid links (401 a-b) such that the articulation actuator can be manipulated to articulate the tool assembly about either or both of the first and second axes. a handle portion ; an elongated central body portion ; and a single use loading unit , wherein: the elongated body portion is rotatably secured to the handle portion; a connection mechanism is provided for removably securing the single use loading unit to the elongated central body portion of the stapling device, the single use loading unit includes a proximal body portion , an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly ; and the intermediate pivot member is pivotally connected to the proximal body portion about a first axis and pivotally connected to the tool assembly about a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis, the surgical stapling device further comprising: the elongated body portion is rotatably secured to the handle portion; a connection mechanism is provided for removably securing the single use loading unit to the elongated central body portion of the stapling device, the single use loading unit includes a proximal body portion , an intermediate pivot member and a tool assembly ; and the intermediate pivot member is pivotally connected to the proximal body portion about a first axis and pivotally connected to the tool assembly about a second axis substantially orthogonal to the first axis, the surgical stapling device further comprising: a rotation control member rotatably fastened to the handle portion; an articulation actuator which is supported on a semi-spherical base member for omni-directional movement, the base member being secured about the rotation control member, the base member and rotation control member being coaxial with the elongated central body portion and located about a proximal portion of the elongated central body portion; a plurality of articulation links (176a-d) having a first end operably connected to the articulation actuator and a second end adapted to be releasably connected to articulation links of the single use loading unit (306a-d), wherein: the articulation links of the single use loading unit are operably connected to the tool assembly by cables or non-rigid links (401 a-b) such that the articulation actuator can be manipulated to articulate the tool assembly about either or both of the first and second axes. <EOS>