Patent ID: 8281973

Claim:
A surgical stapling device comprising: an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis; a tool assembly supported on a distal end of the elongated body portion, the tool assembly defining a longitudinal axis and including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly being relatively movable between open and closed positions, the tool assembly being supported for articulation about an axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion and being movable from a first position in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion to a second position in which the longitudinal axis of the tool assembly is at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion; an articulation member positioned within the elongated body portion and operatively engaging the tool assembly and being movable to move the tool assembly between the first and second positions; and a retaining member positioned to releasably engage the articulation member, the retaining member preventing movement of the articulation member until a predetermined force is applied to the articulation member; wherein the retaining member includes a ball which is urged into contact with the articulation member by a biasing member.