Patent ID: 8616427

Claim:
A surgical device comprising: a body portion defining a longitudinal axis; a tool assembly including: an anvil member having proximal and distal ends; and a cartridge assembly having proximal and distal ends, the anvil member and the cartridge assembly being pivotally connected such that the tool assembly is movable between spaced and approximated positions, the cartridge assembly being configured and dimensioned to retain a plurality of surgical fasteners therein; an approximation member movable through an actuating stroke to move the tool assembly between the spaced position and the approximated position, wherein during the actuating stroke, the approximation member is moved from a proximal position within the tool assembly to a distal position within the tool assembly, the approximation member being configured and dimensioned such that the distal ends of the anvil member and the cartridge assembly are approximated prior to approximation of the proximal ends of the anvil member and the cartridge assembly to minimize distal movement of tissue positioned between the anvil member and the cartridge assembly, and thereby facilitate grasping and manipulation of the tissue; and a dynamic clamping member movable through the tool assembly to eject the plurality of surgical fasteners from the cartridge assembly, the approximation member being configured and dimensioned such that, during the actuating stroke, separation of the anvil member and the cartridge assembly positions the anvil member and the cartridge assembly in a substantially parallel orientation.