Patent ID: 8424738

Claim:
A surgical fastener applying instrument comprising: a handle portion; an elongated portion extending distally from the handle portion and having a longitudinal axis; a pair of jaw members disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongated portion, at least one of the jaw members being movable with respect to the other jaw member between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween, the first jaw member configured to contain a plurality of fasteners arranged in at least one row along its entire length substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated portion; and a removable clamp having an elongated member and a tissue clamping surface extending substantially transverse to a longitudinal axis of the elongated member, the tissue clamping surface extending along a majority of the entire length of the first jaw member, the clamp movable from a proximal position to a distal position for engaging body tissue, the clamp releasably mountable to the elongated portion of the instrument, such that when the removable clamp is released from the elongated portion, the removable clamp is free from contact with any other portion of the surgical fastener applying instrument, the surgical instrument being configured and dimensioned to apply fasteners to tissue both with the removable clamp mounted to the elongated portion and when the removable clamp is released from the elongated portion.