An end effector is disclosed for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a minimally invasive procedure. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first end, a second end, an anvil having an anvil face, and a first channel; and a second jaw having a first end, a second end, a cartridge having a cartridge face, and a second channel. A first coupling couples the first end of the first jaw to the first end of the second jaw. A second coupling movably couples the second end of the first jaw to the second end of the second jaw. The second coupling may include a rigid link. The end effector may include a blade having a cutting edge, an upper lateral arm slidably positioned in the first channel, and a lower lateral arm slidably positioned in the second channel.

An end effector is disclosed for use by a surgeon to staple an anatomical structure of a patient during a minimally invasive procedure. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first end, a second end, an anvil having an anvil face, and a first channel; and a second jaw having a first end, a second end, a cartridge having a cartridge face, and a second channel. A first coupling couples the first end of the first jaw to the first end of the second jaw. A second coupling movably couples the second end of the first jaw to the second end of the second jaw. The second coupling may include a rigid link. The end effector may include a blade having a cutting edge, an upper lateral arm slidably positioned in the first channel, and a lower lateral arm slidably positioned in the second channel.