A surgical stapler has a handle assembly including a stationary handle and atrigger. The stapler also has a drive assembly with a body having a workingend and a cam member supported on the working end. The cam member ispositioned to translate relative to the anvil to maintain the anvil in theclosed position during firing of the stapler. The trigger is operativelyconnected to a power cell. The power cell is operably connected to a motor ofthe drive assembly. The manipulation of the trigger actuates the power cellsuch that the power cell powers the drive assembly to effect translation ofthe cam member relative to the anvil. The stapler also has a channel forsupporting the staple cartridge and the motor of the drive assembly controlsthe actuation sled supported within the cartridge. The actuation sled urgesthe plurality of staples from the cartridge when the anvil is in the closedposition and in cooperative alignment with the staple cartridge.
