Tool assembly for surgical stapling device

1. A surgical device comprising:

a body portion defining a longitudinal axis;

a tool assembly including an anvil, a cartridge assembly housing a plurality of staples, and a dynamic clamping member, the anvil and cartridge assembly being movable in relation to each other between spaced and approximated positions, the dynamic clamping member being movable in relation to the anvil and the cartridge assembly to eject the staples from the cartridge assembly, the tool assembly being pivotally attached to the body portion and being pivotable in relation to the body portion from a position aligned with the longitudinal axis of the body portion to a position oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the body portion; and

an articulation and firing actuator extending at least partially through the body portion and the tool assembly, the articulation and firing actuator being operably associated with the dynamic clamping member and the tool assembly and being movable in relation thereto to selectively pivot the tool assembly in relation to the body portion and move the dynamic clamping member in relation to the tool assembly to effect ejection of the staples from the cartridge.

2. A surgical device according to claim 1 , wherein the articulation and firing actuator includes a flexible band having a first end portion extending at least partially through the body portion and through the cartridge assembly, a central portion extending from the first end portion and being operatively associated with the dynamic clamping member, and a second end portion extending from the central portion through the cartridge assembly and at least partially through the body portion to a position adjacent the first end.

3. A surgical device according to claim 2 , wherein the articulation and firing actuator is operably associated with the tool assembly such that movement of either the first end portion or the second end portion of the flexible band proximally and independently of the other end portion effects articulation of the tool assembly in relation to the body portion, and movement of both the first and second end portions of the flexible band simultaneously effects movement of the dynamic clamping member to effect ejection of the staples from the cartridge assembly.

4. A surgical device according to claim 1 , wherein the tool assembly forms part of a disposable loading unit.

5. A surgical device according to claim 1 , further including an approximation member operably associated with the tool assembly and being movable in relation to the tool assembly to move the anvil and cartridge assembly from the spaced position to the approximated position.

6. A surgical device according to claim 5 , wherein the approximation member is configured and dimensioned for linear movement relative to the tool assembly.

7. A surgical device according to claim 6 , wherein the approximation member is configured and dimensioned such that distal movement of the approximation member effectuates movement of the tool assembly towards the approximated position and proximal movement of the approximation member effectuates movement of the tool assembly towards the spaced position.

8. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1 , further including a sled movably positioned within the cartridge assembly, the sled being configured and dimensioned for contact with a plurality of pushers via engagement with the dynamic clamping member to effectuate firing of the staples.

9. A surgical stapling device according to claim 8 , wherein the dynamic clamping member is positioned proximally of the sled.

10. A surgical device according to claim 1 , wherein the dynamic clamping member includes an upper flange configured, dimensioned, and positioned to slidably engage the anvil, and a lower flange configured, dimensioned, and positioned to slidably engage the cartridge assembly, the upper and lower flanges being positioned to maintain a desired tissue gap between the anvil and the cartridge assembly.

11. A surgical stapling device according to claim 10 , wherein the dynamic clamping member includes a central portion positioned between the upper flange and the lower flange, the central portion supporting a knife member to facilitate incising of tissue.

12. A surgical stapling device according to claim 11 , wherein the knife member is removably secured to the central portion of the dynamic clamping member.