Apparatus for closing a curved anvil of a surgical stapling device

A surgical stapler for stapling tissue, comprising:

• a channel configured for receiving a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein;
• an anvil configured to deform the staples, said anvil having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion intermediate said proximal portion and said distal portion, wherein said anvil is movable between an open position, a partially-closed position, and a closed position, wherein said anvil and the staple cartridge are configured to hold the tissue therebetween when said anvil is in said partially-closed position, and wherein said proximal portion and said distal portion of said anvil are closer to the staple cartridge than said middle portion when said anvil is in said partially-closed position;
• and
• a hinge connecting said anvil to said channel, wherein said hinge is configured to permit said anvil to pivot toward said channel, and wherein said hinge is configured to permit said anvil to tilt relative to said channel.

A surgical stapler for stapling tissue, comprising:

• a channel configured for receiving a staple cartridge, the staple cartridge configured to removably store staples therein;
• an anvil configured to deform the staples, said anvil having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a middle portion intermediate said proximal portion and said distal portion, wherein said anvil is movable between an open position, a partially-closed position, and a closed position, wherein said anvil and the staple cartridge are movably connected such that, when said anvil is in said partially-closed position, said middle portion and said staple cartridge are separated by a first distance and said distal portion and said staple cartridge are separated by a second distance, wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance;
• and
• a hinge connecting said anvil to said channel, wherein said hinge is configured to permit said anvil to pivot toward said channel, and wherein said hinge is configured to permit said anvil to tilt relative to said channel.