A surgical instrument for anastomosis of first and second blood vessels
includes a housing having distal and proximal ends and an actuator
disposed therebetween. The actuator includes a handle and a link
assembly, the link assembly being movable through a firing stroke in
response to movement of the handle. The instrument also includes a
disposable loading unit releasably attached to the distal end of the
housing in mechanical cooperation with the actuator. The disposable
loading unit supports a plurality of surgical fasteners, which deform
upon movement of the actuator and the link assembly through the firing
stroke.