Patent ID: 7188758

Claim:
Apparatus for applying a plurality of rows of fasteners to body tissue, comprising: a first member configured to receive a fastener cartridge for supporting at least two rows of fasteners; a second member having an anvil, the second member being adapted to be assembled with the first member, at a pivotable connection, so that the body tissue can be positioned between the cartridge and the anvil; a fastener ejecting member adapted to be advanced longitudinally through the fastener cartridge to sequentially drive the fasteners into the body tissue toward the second member; a knife bar having a cutting edge at a distal end of the knife bar, the knife bar being movable between the at least two rows of fasteners to cut the body tissue when the fasteners are driven into the body tissue; a mounting member on one of the first member and the second member and being disposed between the first member and the second member, the mounting member defining a receiving recess adjacent the pivotable connection between the first and second members; and a gap adjustment member received in the receiving recess.