An apparatus (100) for applying surgical fasteners, comprising: an anvil half section (104), which includes a distal end (104a) and a proximal end defining a longitudinal axis； a half cartridge receiving section (102), which includes a distal end (102a), wherein the half cartridge receiving section can be functionally coupled with the half anvil section such that the distal end of the half section of anvil is in juxtaposed relationship with the distal end of the half cartridge receiving section, and wherein the separation (G) of tissue is defined between the distal end of the half anvil section and the distal end of the half section of cartridge reception when the half anvil and cartridge sections are coupled to each other； and a flexure control system (460) functionally associated with the half anvil section, where: the half anvil section defines a tissue contact surface, and where the flexure control system reinforces the distal end of the half anvil section when a force is applied to the distal end of the half anvil section in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and normal to a plane defined by the tissue contact surface of the half anvil section； The half anvil section includes a U-shaped channel member (112) having a pair of side walls (114) interconnected by a base wall (116), and wherein the flexure control system is functionally associated and functionally disposed within the channel member, characterized in that the flexure control system is generally in the form of a flat spring and includes a layered reinforcing member having a plurality of individual reinforcing plates (462ac) extending longitudinally between the side walls and rest on top of the base wall, the reinforcing member includes longitudinally oriented elongate grooves and a pin member (468) extending through elongated grooves, wherein said pin member (468) is firmly secured to the base wall of the channel member, wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of the reinforcement
