Patent ID: 8657178

Claim:
A disposable surgical stapling unit configured for use with an actuation device that has an elongated shaft assembly that defines an elongate axis, the disposable surgical stapling unit comprising: a housing assembly configured for removable attachment to the elongated shaft assembly of the actuation device; a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge therein; a drive member operably supported within said staple cartridge carrier, said drive member including a cutting edge configured to cut tissue and a proximal end configured for operable engagement with a control member that is operably supported within the elongated shaft assembly; and first and second articulation joints operably supported between the housing assembly and the staple cartridge carrier for selectively articulating the staple cartridge carrier about multiple articulation axes relative to the elongate axis of the elongated shaft assembly when the housing assembly is operably coupled thereto.