Apparatus for endoscopic procedures

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a first jaw member comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the channel being configured to receive a staple cartridge assembly;
• a second jaw member including an anvil plate having a plurality of staple forming pockets, the first and second jaw members supported in relation to each other for movement between approximated and spaced positions;
• and
• a drive beam movable between the proximal end and the distal end of the first jaw member and having a substantially I-shaped cross-sectional profile, the drive beam having a first strut, a second strut, and a support beam extending between and connecting the first strut and the second strut along a first axis, wherein the first strut protrudes from the support beam along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, wherein the second strut protrudes from the support beam along a third axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and wherein the first strut is configured to engage with the first jaw member and the second strut is configured to engage with the second jaw member to progressively move the first and second jaw members to the approximated position as the drive beam moves from the proximal end of the first jaw toward the distal end of the first jaw;
• wherein the staple cartridge assembly comprises a knife, a sled, and a plurality of staples, wherein the knife has a knife blade, and wherein the sled has a plurality of wedge members and is configured to engage a plurality of staple pushers;
• wherein the knife and the sled are positioned at least partially distal to the drive beam so that distal movement of the drive beam moves the knife and the sled toward the distal end of the first jaw member, wherein the sled is configured to drive the plurality of staple pushers during distal movement, and wherein the sled is configured to be moved by the drive beam to a distal sled position or a distal-most sled position and remain at the distal sled position or the distal-most sled position when the drive beam moves proximally.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a first jaw member comprising a proximal end, a distal end, and a channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the channel being configured to receive a staple cartridge assembly;
• a second jaw member including an anvil plate having a plurality of staple forming pockets, the first and second jaw members supported in relation to each other for movement between approximated and spaced positions;
• and
• a drive beam movable between the proximal end and the distal end of the first jaw member and having a substantially I-shaped cross-sectional profile, the drive beam having a first strut, a second strut, a support beam extending between and connecting the first strut and the second strut along a first axis, wherein the first strut protrudes from the support beam along a second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, wherein the second strut protrudes from the support beam along a third axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis, and wherein the first strut is configured to engage with the first jaw member and the second strut is configured to engage with the second jaw member to progressively move the first and second jaw members to the approximated position as the drive beam moves from the proximal end of the first jaw toward the distal end of the first jaw;
• wherein the staple cartridge assembly includes a knife, a sled, and a plurality of staples, wherein the knife includes a knife blade, and wherein the sled includes a plurality of wedge members and is configured to engage a plurality of staple pushers, wherein the knife and the sled are positioned so that distal movement of the drive beam moves the knife and the sled toward the distal end of the first jaw member, wherein the sled is configured to drive the plurality of staple pushers during distal movement, and wherein the sled is configured to be moved by the drive beam to distal sled position or a distal-most sled position and remain at the distal sled position or the distal-most sled position when the drive beam moves proximally.