Patent ID: 8393516

Claim:
A surgical instrument, comprising: a handle portion defining a first longitudinal axis; an elongate portion extending distally from the handle portion, wherein the elongate portion has a fixed proximal section extending in a first direction and a fixed distal section extending in a second different direction, the proximal section defining a second longitudinal axis, the second longitudinal axis being transverse to the first longitudinal axis, the distal section defining a third longitudinal axis, the third longitudinal axis being substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis; a fourth longitudinal axis being parallel to the second longitudinal axis and intersecting the distal section and a portion of the handle portion; a fastener jaw member disposed adjacent the distal section of the elongated portion, the fastener jaw member having a substantially C-shaped configuration and containing a plurality of fasteners in at least one curved row; an opposing jaw member disposed adjacent the distal section of the elongated portion, the opposing jaw member having a substantially C-shaped configuration, wherein the at least one of the jaw members is movable between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween; a shaft and a knife bar operatively coupled to the shaft, the knife bar having a curved profile, wherein the knife bar moves along at least one of the jaw members between a retracted position and a deployed position upon rotation of the shaft; and a pinion rotatably mounted on a distal end of the shaft, wherein the knife bar includes a rack adapted to mesh with the pinion.