Patent ID: 8424736

Claim:
A surgical device comprising: a handle assembly including an actuation shaft, a stationary handle, and a movable handle, the movable handle being operably associated with the actuation shaft such that movement of the movable handle effects axial movement of the actuation shaft; an elongated member extending distally from the handle assembly, the elongated member defining a longitudinal axis; a tool assembly mounted to a distal end of the elongated member, the tool assembly having a cartridge assembly having a plurality of staples supported therein and an anvil assembly, at least one of the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly being movable in relation to each other between open and closed positions; a vertical pawl movable between a first position engaged with the actuation shaft to prevent axial movement of the actuation shaft and a second position disengaged from the actuation shaft to permit axial movement of the actuation shaft; and a mode selection mechanism configured to alternate the surgical device between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, the mode selection mechanism movable between a first position engaged with the actuation shaft and a second position disengaged from the actuation shaft, the mode selection mechanism being movable to the second position prior to movement of the tool assembly from the open position to the closed position such that upon movement of the tool assembly to the closed position the vertical pawl is movable to the first position to prevent axial movement of the actuation shaft and subsequent movement of the movable handle returns the mode selection mechanism to the first position to switch the surgical device to the second mode of operation, the movable handle being moveable while the surgical device is in the second mode of operation to fire staples from the tool assembly.