Patent ID: 7445622

Claim:
A surgical instrument for implanting an anastomotic ring device, comprising: (a) a ring deployment mechanism configured to receive an anastomotic ring, wherein the ring deployment mechanism is operable to move between an unactuated position and an actuated position; (b) a shaft in communication with the ring deployment mechanism, wherein the shaft comprises: (i) one or more transfer members operatively configured to transfer actuating forces to the ring deployment mechanism, and (ii) a sheath device operable to selectively move from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein the sheath device is configured to cover at least a portion of the ring deployment mechanism when the sheath device is in the first configuration, wherein the sheath device is configured to uncover the at least a portion of the ring deployment mechanism when the sheath device is moved to the second configuration; and (c) an actuation mechanism operable to perform at least a portion of an act of actuating at least a portion of the ring deployment mechanism and at least a portion of an act of moving at least a portion of the sheath device to the second configuration contemporaneously wherein the actuation mechanism comprises: (i) a first actuator, (ii) a second actuator, (iii) a first member comprising a pinion having a face, an axis, and a pair of pins extending from the face in a direction parallel to the axis, wherein the first member is operable to communicate a first actuating force to the first actuator and a second actuating force to the second actuator, wherein the first actuating force is longitudinally opposed in direction relative the second actuating force; wherein the first and second actuators each comprise a slot, wherein the pins are configured to engage the slots to communicate the first and second actuating forces substantially contemporaneously.