Patent ID: 8276802

Claim:
A surgical instrument for joining tissue, comprising: a handle assembly; an elongated portion extending distally from the handle assembly and defining a longitudinal axis, the elongated portion having a proximal portion and a distal portion; an end effector disposed adjacent the distal portion of the elongated portion, the end effector including: a first cartridge assembly configured to deploy a first set of fasteners, the first cartridge assembly being positioned substantially along the longitudinal axis; a first anvil assembly disposed distally of the first cartridge assembly, the first anvil assembly being positioned substantially along the longitudinal axis; a second anvil assembly disposed distally of the first anvil assembly, the second anvil assembly being positioned substantially along the longitudinal axis; a second cartridge assembly disposed distally of the second anvil assembly, the second cartridge assembly being positioned substantially along the longitudinal axis, wherein the second cartridge assembly is configured to move between an open position and an approximated position relative to the second anvil assembly; and a central rod extending between the first cartridge assembly and the second cartridge assembly the central rod movable substantially along the longitudinal axis to move the second cartridge assembly between the open and approximated positions.