Patent ID: 7857186

Claim:
A surgical stapler, comprising: a first handle portion including: a proximal end; a distal end; and a staple cartridge channel configured to receive a staple cartridge; a second handle portion including: a proximal end; a distal end; and an anvil, wherein the proximal end of one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a pin and the proximal end of the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion includes a slot configured to slidably receive said pin; a drive member configured to be advanced relative to said staple cartridge channel and said anvil; and a latch rotatably coupled to one of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is configured to engage the other of said first handle portion and said second handle portion, wherein said latch is rotatable between an open position, a partially-closed position, and a closed position, and wherein said slot and said pin are configured such that said pin cannot be disengaged from said slot when said latch is in said partially-closed position, wherein said latch is rotatably mounted to said first handle portion, wherein said second handle portion includes a projection extending therefrom, and wherein said latch is configured to engage said projection to move said anvil into close opposition to said staple cartridge channel when said latch is moved between said open position and said closed position.