| abstract |
surgical fasteners, applicator instruments and methods for dispensing surgical fasteners. the present invention relates to a drive system for an applicator instrument adapted to dispense surgical fasteners which includes a compartment, an elongated rod extending from the compartment, a drive rod arranged on the elongated rod, a rod release device actuated by engagement with the actuation rod to prevent distal movement of the actuation rod during at least one stage of a actuation cycle, an actuator mounted in the compartment, and an actuation spring having a first end coupled and uncoupled from the actuator during the activation cycle. the actuation cycle includes an initial stage in which the actuator is opened and decoupled from the energy storage element, and the actuation spring is at least partially compressed, and a pilot stage during which the actuation rod release is disengaged at from the drive rod to allow distal movement of the drive rod. |