Surgical stapling apparatus with control features operable with one hand

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus. Various embodiments include a rotatable elongated body that extends from a rotatable shroud on handle assembly and has a distal end configured for attachment to a disposable loading unit. The apparatus further includes a lockable rotation system for selectively locking the rotatable shroud to prevent rotation thereof about a longitudinal axis.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical stapling assembly, comprising:
 a housing;   a shaft assembly extending distally from said housing, wherein said shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis;   an end effector, comprising: 
 a staple cartridge, comprising: 
 staple cavities; and 
 staples removably stored in said staple cavities, wherein said staples are deployable from said staple cartridge into tissue during a firing motion; and an articulation system, comprising: 
 
 a first articulation joint; and 
 an intermediate articulation joint, wherein said intermediate articulation joint is situated in said shaft assembly, wherein said first articulation joint enables articulation motions of said end effector about a first articulation axis relative to said housing, and wherein said intermediate articulation joint enables articulation motions of said end effector about a second articulation axis relative to said housing. 
   
     
     
         22 . The surgical stapling assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said second articulation axis is different than said first articulation axis. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical stapling assembly of  claim 21 , wherein said second articulation axis is substantially transverse to said first articulation axis and said longitudinal axis.