Patent ID: 8701959

Claim:
A surgical instrument, comprising: a frame; an elongate portion extending distally from the frame and defining a longitudinal axis; a drive beam disposed at least partially within the elongate portion and being proximally and distally translatable with respect to the elongate portion; an end effector disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongate portion, the end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, the first jaw member including a cartridge assembly and the second jaw member including an anvil assembly, the cartridge assembly being movable with respect to the anvil assembly between an open position and an approximated position, the first jaw member including a proximal camming surface and a distal camming surface thereon, the proximal camming surface being longitudinally adjacent the distal camming surface, and wherein the end effector is movable between a first position where the end effector is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis to at least a second position where the end effector is disposed at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis; and an actuation portion of the drive beam having an upper member arranged to contact the distal camming surface causing approximation of the jaw members and wherein proximal translation of the drive beam causes the actuation portion of the drive beam to cam the proximal camming surface which causes opening of the jaw members.