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A surgical stapling device for applying an array of surgical staples to tissue is provided. The stapling device includes an approximation mechanism for moving a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly between spaced and approximated positions and a firing mechanism for ejecting the array of staples

A surgical stapling device for applying an array of surgical staples to tissue is provided. The stapling device includes an approximation mechanism for moving a cartridge assembly and an anvil assembly between spaced and approximated positions and a firing mechanism for ejecting the array of staples from the cartridge assembly. A single trigger is operable to effect approximation and firing of the device. The device also includes an alignment pin assembly which can be selectively manually or automatically advanced. The anvil assembly includes a stiffener plate which allows the device to have a reduced head portion profile.

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1. A surgical stapling device comprising:a body having a stationary handle portion;a trigger pivotably fastened to the body;a head portion including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly being movable in relation to each other from a spaced positio

1. A surgical stapling device comprising:a body having a stationary handle portion;a trigger pivotably fastened to the body;a head portion including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly being movable in relation to each other from a spaced position to an approximated position;an approximation mechanism operatively connected to the head portion, the approximation mechanism being actuable to move the anvil and cartridge assemblies in relation to each other between the spaced and approximated positions; andan alignment pin assembly including an alignment pin having a tip, the alignment pin assembly being actuable to advance the alignment pin from a retracted position to an advanced position in which the alignment pin tip engages the anvil assembly;wherein the alignment pin assembly is releasably coupled to the approximation mechanism such that the alignment pin assembly can be manually actuated, at a location remote from the head portion, independently of the approximation mechanism or automatically actuated in response to actuation of the approximation mechanism. 2. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1, wherein the alignment pin assembly includes an alignment pin pusher and a bell crank, the bell crank being releasably coupled to the alignment pin pusher and operably connected to the approximation mechanism. 3. A surgical stapling device according to claim 2, herein the bell crank is pivotably mounted within the body and includes a post dimensioned to be received within a C-clip formed on the alignment pin pusher, the post being removable from the C-clip to facilitate manual actuation of the alignment pin assembly. 4. A surgical stapling device according to claim 3, wherein the approximation mechanism includes at least one clamp slide having a first end configured to support the cartridge assembly and a second end operably connected to the pivotable trigger such that actuation of the trigger causes movement of the at least one clamp slide to move the cartridge and anvil assemblies between the spaced and approximated positions. 5. A surgical stapling device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one clamp slide includes a cam slot and the bell crank includes at least one cam member dimensioned to be received within the cam slot, the cam slot being configured to pivot the bell crank upon movement of the at least one clamp slide. 6. A surgical stapling device according to claim 5, wherein the alignment pin pusher includes at least one post dimensioned to extend through a slot formed in the body, the post being slidable within the slot to manually actuate the alignment pin assembly. 7. A surgical stapling device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one post includes first and second posts, the first post extending through a slot formed in one side of the body and the second post extending through a slot formed in the opposite side of the body. 8. A surgical stapling device according to claim 7, further including a thumb button secured to each of the first and second posts, the thumb buttons being positioned on the body at a location to permit actuation of the trigger and manual advancement of the alignment pin assembly using a single hand. 9. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1, wherein the approximation mechanism includes a clamp side assembly and a bi-linkage assembly, the bi-linkage assembly including a front link and a rear link, the rear link having one end pivotably secured to the body and a forward end pivotably secured to the rear end of the front link, the clamp slide assembly having a distal end configured to support the cartridge assembly and a proximal end pivotably secured to the forward end of the front link, the bi-linkage assembly being movable from a position in which longitudinal axes of the front and rear links are misaligned to a position in which the longitudinal axes of the front and rear links are substantially aligned to mo ve the clamp slide assembly from a retracted position to an advanced position. 10. A surgical stapling device according to claim 9, wherein the trigger includes an extension positioned adjacent the bi-linkage assembly, the extension being movable to urge the bi-linkage assembly from the misaligned to the aligned position. 11. A surgical stapling device according to claim 10, further including a firing mechanism, the firing mechanism including a thrust bar having a distal end positioned within the cartridge assembly and a proximal end operably associated with the trigger. 12. A surgical stapling device according to claim 11, further including a firing link pivotably coupled to the trigger, the thrust bar having a notch formed at its proximal end, the firing link being movable into the thrust bar notch after the anvil and cartridge assemblies have been moved to the approximated position to effect ejection of staples from the cartridge assembly upon movement of the trigger through a firing stroke. 13. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1, wherein the trigger includes a cushioned gripping member. 14. A surgical stapling device according to claim 1 wherein the stationary handle portion includes a cushioned gripping member. 15. A surgical stapling device comprising:a handle portion including a trigger;a body portion extending distally from the handle portion;a head portion including an anvil and a cartridge, the anvil and cartridge being movable in relation to each other from an open position to a closed position in which the anvil and cartridge are in close cooperative alignment;an approximation mechanism operatively connected to the head portion and being actuable to move the anvil and cartridge between the open and closed positions;an alignment pin assembly including a pusher operatively associated with the approximation mechanism, the pusher being movable in response to actuation of the approximation mechanism between retracted and advanced positions; andan engagement member located remotely of the head portion and being operatively associated with the alignment pin assembly, the engagement member being movable to manually advance the pusher from the retracted position to the advanced position prior to actuation of the approximation mechanism. 16. A surgical stapling device comprising:a handle portion including a trigger;a body portion extending distally from the handle portion;a head portion including an anvil and a cartridge, the anvil and cartridge being movable in relation to each other from an open position to a closed position in which the anvil and cartridge are in close cooperative alignment;an approximation mechanism operatively connected to the head portion and being actuable to move the anvil and cartridge between the open and closed positions;an alognment pin advancement assembly including a pusher operatively associated the approximation mechanism, the pusher being movable in response to actuation of the approximation mechanism between retracted and advanced positions; andan engagement member operatively associated with the alignment pin advancement assembly and being movable to manually advance the pusher from the retracted position to the advanced position prior to actuation of the approximation mechanism. 17. A surgical stapling device according to claim 15, wherein the alignment pin assembly includes a pivotable lever which is operatively connected to the approximation mechanism and releasably coupled to the pusher. 18. A surgical stapling device according to claim 17, wherein the pusher includes a resilient clip configured to releasably engage the pivotable lever. 19. A surgical stapling device according to claim 18, wherein the pivotable lever includes a cam member which is positioned within a cam slot formed in the approximation mechanism. 20. A surgical stapling device according to claim 15, wherein the trigger is operatively associated with the approximation mechanism such that movement of the tr igger effects actuation of the approximation mechanism. 21. A surgical stapling device according device according to claim 15, wherein the engagement member is operatively associated with the pusher of the alignment pin assembly. 22. A surgical stapling device comprising:a body having a stationary handle portion;a trigger pivotably fastened to the body;a head portion including an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, the anvil assembly and the cartridge assembly being movable in relation to each other from a spaced position to an approximated position;an approximation mechanism operatively connected to the head portion, the approximation mechanism being actuable to move the anvil and cartridge assemblies in relation to each other between the spaced and approximated positions; and an alignment pin assembly including an alignment pin having a tip, the alignment pin assembly being actuatable to advance the alignment pin from a retracted position to an advanced position in which the alignment pin tip extends into the anvil assembly;wherein at least a portion of the alignment pin assembly is releasably coupled to the approximation mechanism. 23. A surgical stapling device according to claim 22, wherein the alignment pin assembly is releasably coupled to the approximation mechanism at a location remote from the head portion.