Patent ID: 8556151

Claim:
A surgical apparatus comprising: an actuation mechanism comprising an actuation shaft operable from a proximal portion of the surgical apparatus; a tool assembly pivotally positioned on a distal portion of the surgical apparatus at an articulation joint and being movable between a first position wherein the tool assembly is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the surgical apparatus, and a second position wherein the tool assembly is pivoted away from the longitudinal axis of the surgical apparatus; an articulation mechanism positionable to move the tool assembly between the first and second positions; and a drive mechanism operably associated with the actuation mechanism, the drive mechanism including a first shaft operably engaged with a second shaft at the articulation joint, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to transfer rotational motion from the first shaft to the second shaft in the first and second positions of the tool assembly to cause at least the forming of staples in the tool assembly, wherein upon actuation of the actuation shaft, the first and second shafts are configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis in the same direction, the articulation joint allowing the first shaft to pivot with respect to the second shaft.