An applicator instrument for dispensing surgical fasteners includes a housing, a firing system disposed in the housing and moveable in distal and proximal directions along a first axis, a handle extending upwardly from the housing along a second axis that defines an acute angle with the first axis, and a trigger mounted on the handle. The applicator instrument includes a non-linear elongated shaft extending from the housing that has a distal section that is extends upwardly toward a top of said applicator instrument. A distal end cap is secured to the distal end of the elongated shaft. The applicator has an imaging system including an imaging device for detecting images at the distal end of said applicator instrument, and a light source for illuminating a field of view for the imaging device at the distal end of the applicator instrument.
