Patent ID: 7832612

Claim:
A surgical stapler, comprising: a first handle portion including a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including an anvil; a first drive slot; a second drive slot, wherein at least one of said first and second drive slots defines a predetermined path; a drive member; an actuator operably engaged with said drive member, wherein said actuator is selectively movable into said first drive slot and said second drive slot, and wherein said actuator is configured to move said drive member along said predetermined path; an actuator lock selectively engageable with said actuator; and a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion and move said anvil into position relative to said staple cartridge channel, and wherein said latch is configured to engage said actuator lock when said latch is moved into said closed position to disengage said actuator lock from said actuator.