Surgical stapling apparatus

A surgical apparatus comprising:

• a) an elongated body portion defining a longitudinal axis;
• b) a staple applying assembly pivotal about a pivot point adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion, the staple applying assembly including:
• i) a cartridge assembly including a staple cartridge having a plurality of surgical staples disposed therein;
• and
• ii) an anvil member having a staple forming surface thereon, the anvil member being movable between an open position wherein at least a portion of the staple forming surface is spaced from the staple cartridge and a closed position wherein the staple forming surface is in close cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge;
• and
• d) an articulation mechanism operatively connected to the staple applying assembly, which includes:
• a rotatable member;
• and
• at least one coupling member operatively associated with the rotatable member and the staple applying assembly, wherein rotation of the rotatable member causes the staple applying assembly to pivot from a first position having a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion to a second articulated position wherein the longitudinal axis of the staple applying assembly is positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the elongated body portion.