Patent ID: 7632285

Claim:
A surgical instrument for implanting an anastomotic ring device, comprising: (i) a handle; (ii) a ring deployment mechanism configured to receive an anastomotic ring, wherein the ring deployment mechanism is adapted to move between an unactuated, generally cylindrical position and an actuated, hollow rivet-forming position, wherein the ring deployment mechanism comprises a plurality of distal fingers, a plurality of proximal fingers, and a central member positioned longitudinally between the plurality of distal fingers and the plurality of proximal fingers, wherein each distal finger comprises a proximal segment in a hinged relationship with a corresponding distal segment, wherein the proximal segment of each distal finger is further in a hinged relationship with the central member, wherein each proximal finger comprises a proximal segment in a hinged relationship with a corresponding distal segment, wherein the distal segment of each proximal finger is further in a hinged relationship with the central member, wherein the central member longitudinally separates the proximal segments of the distal fingers from the distal segments of the proximal fingers; (iii) an actuation mechanism for communicating actuating force to the ring-deployment mechanism, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a first actuating slider and a second actuating slider, wherein the first actuating slider is in communication with the plurality of proximal fingers via a plurality of cables, wherein the second actuating slider is in communication with the plurality of distal fingers via a tube; (iv) an elongate shaft connecting the handle to the ring deployment mechanism and operatively configured to transfer the actuating force from the handle to the ring deployment mechanism, wherein the longitudinal position of the central member is fixed relative to the elongate shaft; (v) a first sheath adapted to cover the plurality of proximal fingers during insertion and extraction of the instrument, wherein the sheath is adapted to expand radially outwardly to move from the unactuated position to the actuated position along with the plurality of proximal fingers; and (vi) a second sheath adapted to cover the plurality of distal fingers during insertion and extraction of the instrument, wherein the sheath is adapted to expand radially outwardly to move from the unactuated position to the actuated position along with the plurality of distal fingers.