Patent ID: 7308998

Claim:
A surgical stapler, comprising: a handle assembly with a pivotable handle; an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly and having a distal end; a staple cartridge supported adjacent the distal end of the elongated body, the staple cartridge containing a plurality of surgical staples; an anvil pivotably mounted with respect to the staple cartridge and arranged so that the surgical staples are driven against the anvil; an actuation sled arranged to translate through the staple cartridge in a distal direction for exerting a driving force to the staples; a control rod actuated by the pivotable handle for movement in a distal direction and exerting a longitudinal drive force in response to the actuation of the pivotable handle; and a drive assembly for transmitting the longitudinal drive forces of the control rod to the actuation sled.