Surgical stapling instrument having preloaded firing assistance mechanism

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• a handle;
• an elongate implement portion extending distally from the handle and further comprising at least one deformable fastener member adjacent to a distal end of the elongate implement portion;
• a firing drive train, comprising:
• a distal portion received for longitudinal reciprocating motion in the elongate implement portion, the reciprocating motion of the distal portion deforming the at least one deformable fastener to attach the fastener to tissue, and
• a proximal portion received in the handle for reciprocating movement between an unfired position and a fired position and coupled to the distal portion to transfer the related longitudinal reciprocating motion;
• a firing trigger pivotally attached to the handle and coupled to move the proximal portion of the firing drive train from the unfired position to the fired position to attach the at least one deformable fastener to tissue;
• to tissue and
• a firing assistance mechanism, comprising:
• a follower member received in the handle, proximate and aligned for movement between the unfired and fired positions of the proximal portion of the firing drive train,
• a biasing member operatively configured to become preload by movement of the follower member from the fired position to the unfired position,
• an engagement mechanism operatively configured to engage the follower member to the proximal portion of the firing drive train in response to the follower member being retracted to the unfired position and to disengaging the follower member from the proximal portion of the firing drive train in response to the engaged follower member and firing drive train being fired to the fired position, wherein the engaged firing assistance mechanism transfers the preload from the biasing member to the firing mechanism during the firing stroke to deformably attach the at least one deformable fastener to tissue, and
• a brake operatively configured to maintain the proximal portion of the firing drive train retracted until the firing trigger is actuated for firing.