Tissue Stop for Surgical Instrument

The surgical instrument of claim 10, further comprising first and second slots disposed on the first jaw member, each of the first and second slots being adapted to receive at least a portion of one of the first and second legs therein.

A tool assembly for use with a surgical instrument, the tool assembly comprising:

• an end effector including a first jaw member and a second jaw member, at least one jaw member being movable with respect to the other jaw member between spaced and approximated positions;
• a stop member disposed adjacent a distal portion of the first jaw member, the stop member being pivotable with respect to the first jaw member between a first position wherein at least a portion of the stop member is positioned external to the first jaw member, and a second position capturing the tissue between the first jaw member and second jaw member, wherein the relative movement of the jaw members toward the approximated position causes at least a portion of the stop member to move toward the first jaw member.