Patent ID: 8540128

Claim:
A surgical stapler, comprising: a handle portion; a shaft extending from said handle portion, said shaft including a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein said distal portion defines an axis; and an end-effector extending from said distal portion, said end-effector comprising: a channel configured for receiving a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein; an anvil configured to deform said staples, wherein at least one of said anvil and the staple cartridge defines a slot; and a cutting member having a cutting surface, wherein said cutting member is relatively movable with respect to said anvil and the staple cartridge, wherein said slot is configured to receive at least a portion of said cutting member and define a path for said cutting member as it is moved relative to said anvil and the staple cartridge, wherein said path includes a linear portion, and a curved portion defined by at least one radius of curvature, and wherein said linear portion defines an axis that is not parallel to or collinear with said shaft axis.