Patent ID: 8210410

Claim:
An apparatus for performing an intralumenal procedure, comprising: an endolumenal operating capsule comprising a first shell, a second shell and a plurality of staple receiving slots formed in a lip extending along a first longitudinally elongated wall of the first shell and a staple advancement member movable along the lip, for driving staples from the staple receiving slots through tissue positioned adjacent thereto, wherein the capsule is configured so that the staples are driven out of the capsule at an angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the capsule, the longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the capsule, the capsule further comprising a hinged portion extending along a second longitudinally elongated wall of the first shell and configured so that the first shell is rotatable relative to the second shell about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the capsule; a control handle remaining outside the body for receiving tactile motions of an operator corresponding to a desired positioning of the capsule; first and second substantially coaxial flexible sheaths extending from the capsule to the control handle; first and second control wires extending in an annular space between the first and second sheaths from the capsule to the control handle to transmit forces from the control handle to the capsule; and a coupling between the first and second sheaths maintaining the first and second control wires in a circumferentially spaced relation to one another so that force transmitted by the control wires follows a desired path and limits a degree of bending of the first and second sheaths within a desired range.