Reload shaft assembly for surgical stapler

A reload assembly for a surgical stapling system, the reload assembly comprising:

• an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end and defining a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end;
• a jaw assembly articulably coupled to the elongate shaft at the distal end of the elongate shaft such that the jaw assembly is configured to articulate relative to the elongate shaft, the jaw assembly comprising:
• a first jaw comprising a reload support configured to receive a staple reload;
• a second jaw pivotably coupled to the first jaw, the second jaw comprising an anvil surface;
• an actuation beam longitudinally slidable within the elongate shaft to actuate the jaw assembly, the actuation beam having a proximal end and a distal end;
• an articulation link longitudinally slidable within the elongate shaft to articulate the jaw assembly relative to the elongate shaft, the articulation link having a proximal end positioned adjacent the proximal end of the elongate shaft and a distal end pivotably coupled to the jaw assembly, wherein the articulation link comprises a first plurality of teeth formed thereon between the proximal end and the distal end of the articulation link;
• a support link longitudinally slidable within the elongate shaft, the support link having a proximal end extending longitudinally to a distal end pivotably coupled to the jaw assembly, wherein the support link comprises a second plurality of teeth formed thereon between the proximal end and the distal end of the support link;
• and
• an articulation latching mechanism positioned within the elongate shaft between the proximal end and the distal end of the elongate shaft, the articulation latching mechanism having an unlatched configuration in which the articulation link and the support link are slidable within the elongate shaft and a latched configuration wherein the articulation latching mechanism engages the articulation link and the support link to prevent longitudinal sliding of the articulation link and the support link, the articulation latching mechanism comprising at least one shoe in sliding engagement with the actuation beam, the at least one shoe having a pawl surface opposite the sliding engagement with the actuation beam, the pawl surface engageable with one of the articulation link and the support link with the articulation latching mechanism in the latched configuration;
• the at least one shoe comprising:
• a first shoe having a first pawl surface engageable with the first plurality of teeth and a first deployment surface;
• and
• a second shoe having a second pawl surface engageable with the second plurality of teeth and a second deployment surface;
• wherein the actuation beam is configured to slide over the first deployment surface and the second deployment surface to advance the first shoe and the second shoe radially relative to the elongate shaft to move the articulation latching mechanism between the latched configuration and the unlatched configuration.