Patent ID: 7624903

Claim:
An apparatus for applying surgical fasteners comprising: an elongated member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, and defining a longitudinal axis; a staple storage portion attached to the distal portion of the elongated member and adapted for storing at least one surgical fastener, the staple storage portion being movable throughout a plurality of positions including a first position that is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated member and a second position wherein the staple storage portion defines an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis; a control member spaced from the distal portion of the elongated member, wherein rotation of the control member about the longitudinal axis causes rotation of the staple storage portion and movement of the control member along the longitudinal axis from a first position to a second position pivots the staple storage portion from its first position to its second position; an advancing mechanism configured to advance the at least one surgical fastener distally through the staple storage portion, the advancing mechanism being operable to advance the at least one surgical fastener in each position of the plurality of positions; and an anvil configured to close the at least one surgical fastener.