Dissecting tip for surgical stapler

1. A linear surgical stapling device, comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongate body with a distal end;

an end effector at the distal end of the elongate body, the end effector having an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the cartridge assembly housing a plurality of linear rows of staples, the anvil assembly having a dissecting tip at a distal end thereof, the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly having an open position and an approximated position, the dissecting tip having an inner surface that extends downwardly toward the cartridge assembly to a location beyond the rows of staples, the dissecting tip being arranged so that it does not extend below a plane defined by a bottom surface of the cartridge assembly and does not extend outwardly beyond sidewalls of the cartridge assembly, the dissecting tip having a generally tapered shape configured for separating tissue.

2. The stapling device of claim 1 , further comprising a knife that passes through the anvil assembly and cartridge assembly.

3. The stapling device of claim 1 , wherein the handle assembly includes an articulation lever.

4. The stapling device of claim 3 , wherein the handle assembly includes a rotation knob.

5. The stapling device of claim 1 , wherein the dissecting tip has a smooth, curved inner surface.

6. The stapling device of claim 1 , wherein the end effector forms part of a disposable loading unit or single use loading unit.

7. The stapling device of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge assembly has an angled distal surface.

8. The stapling device of claim 1 , wherein the dissecting tip defines an angle with the anvil assembly of between about 95 and about 135 degrees.