#$%^&*AU2011213794B220140529.pdf#####TISSUE STOP FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENT ABSTRACT A surgical instrument (100) including a handle assembly (160), an elongated portion (120), an end effector (154), and a stop member (170) is disclosed. The end effector (154) is disposed adjacent a distal portion (124) of the elongated portion (120) and includes a first jaw member (130) and a second jaw member (140). At least one jaw member (130, 140) is movable with respect to the other jaw member (130, 140) between spaced and approximated positions. The first jaw member (130) includes an upper tissuecontacting surface (134) and a lower shelf portion (143). The shelf portion includes a groove (136) disposed therein. The stop member (170) is disposed adjacent a distal portion (134) of the first jaw member (130) and is pivotable with respect to the first jaw member (130) between a first position, a significant portion of the stop member (170) being positioned external to the first jaw member (130), and a second position where a lower portion of the stop member (170) being positioned at least partially within the groove (136).1/13 8:J CC
