Spring-based firing mechanism for anastomotic ring applier

A surgical instrument operable to implant an anastomotic ring device, the instrument comprising:

• a handle;
• a ring deployment mechanism comprising a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a mid-ring, wherein the mid-ring has a distal end and a proximal end, the ring deployment mechanism being configured to receive and deploy an anastomotic ring device;
• a first rigid member attached to the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and configured to engage the distal end of the mid-ring, wherein the first rigid member comprises a strut pivotally attached to the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and configured to pivot away from the distal end of the mid-ring to disengage the mid-ring;
• a second rigid member attached to the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and configured to engage the proximal end of the mid-ring, wherein the second rigid member comprises a strut pivotally attached to the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and configured to pivot away from the proximal end of the mid-ring to disengage the mid-ring;
• a third rigid member attached to the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and configured to engage the distal end of the mid-ring, wherein the third rigid member comprises a strut pivotally attached to the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and configured to pivot away from the distal end of the mid-ring to disengage the mid-ring;
• a fourth rigid member attached to the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and configured to engage the proximal end of the mid-ring, wherein the fourth rigid member comprises a strut pivotally attached to the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and configured to pivot away from the proximal end of the mid-ring to disengage the mid-ring;
• a first sliding actuating member comprising a first cable, wherein the first sliding actuating member is configured to communicate with the first rigid member and the second rigid member via the first cable, wherein the first sliding actuating member is configured such that sliding the first actuating member from an unactuated position to an actuated position disengages the first rigid member and the second rigid member from the mid-ring, and such that sliding the first actuating member from an unactuated position to an actuated position engages the third rigid member and the fourth rigid member with the mid-ring;
• a second sliding actuating member comprising a second cable, wherein the second sliding actuating member is configured to communicate with the third rigid member and the fourth rigid member via the second cable, wherein the second actuating member is configured such that sliding the second actuating member from an unactuated position to an actuated position respectively disengages the third rigid member and the fourth rigid member from the mid-ring;
• an elongate shaft comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion, wherein the handle is connected to the proximal portion of the shaft, wherein the ring deployment mechanism is connected to the distal portion of the shaft;
• a compressively-biased member positioned at the distal portion of the shaft, wherein the compressively-biased member comprises a distal end and a proximal end, the compressively-biased member being in communication with the ring deployment mechanism, wherein the distal end is engaged with the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism, wherein the proximal end is engaged with the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism, wherein the compressively biased member is configured to urge the ring deployment mechanism to an actuated position;
• and
• a release member that is configured to move from a first position to a second position, wherein the release member is in communication with the distal end of the compressively-biased member when in the first position, wherein the release member is operable to be moved in a proximal direction to terminate the engagement between the compressively-biased member and the distal end of the ring deployment mechanism, wherein terminating the engagement between the ring deployment mechanism and the compressively-biased member is operable to release the ring deployment mechanism from the compressive effect of the compressively-biased member.

A surgical instrument operable to implant an anastomotic ring, the instrument comprising:

• a handle;
• a ring deployment mechanism having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a central portion, wherein the ring deployment mechanism is configured to receive and deploy an anastomotic ring, wherein the central portion comprises a rib member;
• an elongate shaft connecting the handle to the ring deployment mechanism;
• a first rigid member attached to the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and configured to engage the rib member of the central portion of the ring deployment mechanism;
• a second rigid member attached to the proximal portion of the ring deployment mechanism and configured to engage the rib member of the central portion of the ring deployment mechanism;
• a first actuating member configured to communicate with the first member via a cable, wherein the first actuating member is configured such that moving the first actuating member from an unactuated position to an actuated position causes the first rigid member to disengage the rib member of the central portion of the ring deployment mechanism, wherein the second rigid member is configured to engage the rib member after the disengagement of the first rigid member and the rib member;
• a second actuating member configured to communicate with the second rigid member via a cable, wherein the second actuating member is configured such that moving the second actuating member from an unactuated position to an actuated position causes the second rigid member to disengage the rib member of the central portion of the ring deployment mechanism;
• a resilient member in communication with the ring deployment mechanism, wherein the resilient member comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is engaged with the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism when the first actuating member is in the unactuated position, the resilient member being moveable from a first position when the first actuating member is in the unactuated position to a second position when the first actuating member is in the actuated position, the resilient member being moveable from a second position when the second actuating member is in the unactuated position to a third position when the second actuating member is in the actuated position, wherein the resilient member is configured to actuate the ring deployment mechanism by moving from the first position to the second position and to the third position;
• and
• a spring release in communication with the first end of the resilient member, the spring release being moveable from a first position to a second position, wherein the movement of the spring release from the first position to the second position causes the first end of the resilient member to disengage the distal portion of the ring deployment mechanism, wherein movement of the spring release from the first position to the second position is operable to substantially release the ring deployment mechanism from forces exerted by the resilient member.