A surgical instrument is disclosed. It comprises a handle (4), an elongated shaft (6) extending distally from the handle (4), and a fastener deployment system (15) for deploying fasteners (30) from the elongated shaft (6). The fastener deployment system (15) includes a driveshaft (26) disposed within the elongated shaft (6). A follower (34) is disposed within the elongated shaft (6) and is associated with one or more fasteners (30) disposed within the elongated shaft (6). A distal displacement of the driveshaft (26) deploys a fastener (30) from the elongated shaft (6) by displacing the follower (34) in a distal direction. A force applied to the deployed fastener (30) by the driveshaft (26) is greater than a force applied to the one or more fasteners by the follower (34).
