Importance

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Abstract

A surgical instrument is disclosed which includes a housing having proximal and distal end portions, a shaft extending from the housing distal end portion, the shaft having proximal and distal end portions, a fastener carrying cartridge positioned at the shaft distal end portion, the cartridge having a plurality of fasteners disposed therein, a fastener firing member operatively associated with the fastener carrying cartridge, at least one lever extending from the housing, the lever being adapted to move the fastener firing member to expel the fasteners from the cartridge, an anvil member disposed opposite the cartridge, an elongated member operatively associated with the anvil member for moving the anvil member relative to the cartridge, and a locking element disposed within the housing for locking the elongated member, and, therefore the anvil member, the locking element being movable between at least a first position and a second position such that when the locking element is in the first position the elongated member is movable and when the locking element is in the second position the elongated member is prevented from moving.

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First Claim