Apparatus for endoscopic procedures

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a first jaw 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;
• a second jaw comprising an anvil plate having a plurality of staple forming pockets, the first jaw being movable relative to the second jaw between an open position and a closed position;
• and
• a drive beam movable between the proximal end and the distal end of the first jaw and having a substantially I-shaped cross-sectional profile, the drive beam comprising 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 and the second strut is configured to engage with the second jaw to move the first jaw to the closed position and maintain a distance between the first jaw and the second jaw 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 comprises a sled, a knife blade, and a plurality of staples and a slot defined therein, wherein the sled comprises a plurality of wedges and is configured to engage a plurality of staple pushers during movement of the sled toward the distal end of the first jaw,
• wherein the slot is configured to receive the support beam of the drive beam,
• wherein the knife blade and the sled are positioned substantially distally of the drive beam so that movement of the drive beam toward the distal end of the first jaw moves the knife blade and the sled toward the distal end of the first jaw, and wherein the knife blade is configured to move between a raised position and a lowered position.