Surgical fastener applying apparatus

1. A surgical fastener applying apparatus comprising:

a cartridge supporting section;

an anvil supporting section having a longitudinal axis and including a distal anvil portion and a proximal handle portion, the proximal handle portion having a first surface and a second opposing surface, the first surface facing toward the cartridge supporting section, the second surface including a first longitudinally extending slot extending therealong;

a clamping lever having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the clamping lever movable from an unclamped position to a clamped position to releasably secure the anvil supporting section in close approximation with the cartridge supporting section; and

a top firing assembly including a firing knob, the firing knob movable within the longitudinally extending slot from a first proximal position to a second distal position to fire fasteners supported in the cartridge supporting section.

2. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the clamping lever includes a locking member at the proximal portion, the locking member securing the anvil supporting section in a clamped position.

3. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 2 , the firing knob is movable to a second proximal position proximal of the first proximal position to release the locking member to release the clamping lever.

4. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according claim 3 , wherein the locking member includes a hook.

5. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according claim 1 , wherein the first longitudinally extending slot includes at least one detent to maintain the firing knob in the first proximal position.

6. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the firing knob is disposable.

7. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the firing assembly includes a pair of cam bars operatively connected to the firing knob, the cam bars being disposable.

8. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising a support block supporting the cam bars, the cam bars extending distally from the support block and a support post extending from the support block transverse to the cam bars, the firing knob extending from the support post.

9. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the clamping lever includes a locking member at the proximal portion, the locking member securing the anvil supporting section in a clamped position, the support block movable to a proximal position to engage the locking member to unlock the clamping lever.

10. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first slot has an enlarged width portion at a proximal region thereof, the firing knob positioned in the enlarged width portion in the first proximal position.

11. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge supporting section includes an elongated channel for supporting a disposable loading unit containing a plurality of fasteners.

12. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a spring biasing the clamping lever to an unclamped position.

13. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the anvil supporting section includes an anvil having a plurality of pockets, the pockets facing the cartridge supporting section, and a second slot formed in a surface opposite the anvil pockets and extending longitudinally therealong.

14. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the second slot has a first portion with a transverse dimension greater than a second portion, the second portion being closer to the anvil pockets.

15. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an ejector extending from the clamping lever, the ejector movable from a first position to a second position to apply a force against a disposable loading unit positioned in the cartridge supporting section to assist ejection of the disposable loading unit.

16. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge supporting section includes an elongated channel for supporting a disposable loading unit containing a plurality of fasteners, the elongated channel includes an opening to receive an ejector therethrough.

17. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the anvil supporting section includes an indicator adjacent the longitudinally extending slot to indicate the extent of movement of the firing knob.

18. A surgical fastener applying apparatus comprising:

a cartridge supporting section;

an anvil supporting section having a longitudinal axis and including a distal anvil portion and a proximal handle portion;

a clamping lever having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the clamping lever movable from an unclamped position to a clamped position to releasably secure the anvil supporting section in close approximation with the cartridge supporting section, the clamping lever including a locking member at the proximal portion, the locking member securing the anvil supporting section in a clamped position; and

a firing assembly including a firing knob, the firing knob movable from a first proximal position to a second distal position to fire fasteners supported in the cartridge supporting section and retractable to a second proximal position proximal of the first proximal position to release the locking member to release the clamping lever.

19. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the anvil supporting section includes a detent to maintain the firing knob in the first proximal position.

20. The surgical fastener applying apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the firing assembly includes a pair of cam bars operatively connected to the firing knob, the firing knob and the cam bars being disposable.