Mechanically pivoting cartridge channel for surgical instrument

1. 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.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a lip disposed proximally adjacent the proximal camming surface, the lip being configured to help prevent the actuation portion of the drive beam from moving too far proximally, the actuation portion of the drive beam being movable with respect to the lip.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the actuation portion is formed in the shape of an I-beam.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a substantially flat surface adjacent to and distally of the distal camming surface such that the actuation portion of drive beam contacts the flat surface after the jaw members have been at least partially approximated, the flat surface being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis when the jaw members are approximated.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4 , wherein the proximal camming surface and the distal camming surface are angled with respect to one another and with respect to the longitudinal axis when the jaw members are approximated, and wherein the proximal camming surface and the distal camming surface form a valley therebetween.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 4 , wherein the substantially flat surface is not parallel with the proximal camming surface.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the proximal camming surface and the distal camming surface are angled with respect to one another and with respect to the longitudinal axis when the jaw members are approximated, and wherein the proximal camming surface and the distal camming surface form a valley therebetween.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a movable handle disposed on the frame and in mechanical cooperation with the drive beam, the movable handle being movable between a first position and a second position, and wherein at least a partial actuation of the movable handle effects translation of the drive beam.