Patent ID: 8096460

Claim:
A surgical device comprising: a loading unit having proximal and distal portions, the proximal portion being configured to be attached to an actuation apparatus; a flexible shaft interconnecting the proximal portion and the distal portion; a tool assembly disposed in mechanical cooperation with the distal portion of the loading unit, the tool assembly being configured to articulate upon activation of the actuation apparatus, the tool assembly including a first member and a second member; a flexible center rod extending through the flexible shaft and at least a section of the proximal portion of the loading unit, the center rod being operatively associated with the tool assembly, wherein the distal translation of the center rod causes actuation of the tool assembly and approximation of the first and second members; and a flexible articulation rod extending alongside the flexible shaft and through at least a section of the proximal portion of the loading unit, the flexible articulation rod operatively associated with the tool assembly, axial movement of the flexible articulation rod causing articulation of the tool assembly with respect to the flexible shaft, wherein the flexible articulation rod extends through at least a proximal portion of the tool assembly.