Patent ID: 7959051

Claim:
A disposable loading unit for a surgical stapling instrument, comprising: a staple cartridge carrier configured to operably support a staple cartridge; an anvil including at least one staple-deforming cavity, wherein said anvil is rotatably mounted relative to said staple cartridge carrier, wherein said anvil is configured to be rotated between an open position and a closed position, and wherein said anvil includes a proximal end rotatably mounted to said staple cartridge carrier and a distal end movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier, wherein said anvil and said staple cartridge carrier are configured to define a pivot axis about which said anvil can be pivoted, said anvil further comprising a cam surface proximal to said pivot axis and facing said staple cartridge carrier; a drive member movable relative to said staple cartridge carrier and said anvil, wherein said drive member is configured to be advanced from said proximal end of said anvil toward said distal end of said anvil to deploy staples from the staple cartridge; and an actuator having a cam configured to contact said cam surface when said cam is slid away from said distal end of said anvil to rotate said anvil from said open position into said closed position when said actuator is retracted away from said distal end of said anvil.