Energy stored in spring with controlled release

Abstract

There is provided a surgical instrument including a handle having an elongated tubular member extending distally from the handle and one or more end effectors mounted on the distal end of the elongate tubular member. A driver is movably mounted within the handle and elongate tubular member in order to operate the end effectors. The surgical instrument includes an energy storage mechanism for storing and providing energy to move the driver and thereby actuate the surgical instrument. Various actuation mechanisms are disclosed which are operable on the energy storage mechanism to control the rate of release of the energy stored in the energy storage mechanism.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A surgical instrument comprising:
 a handle having an elongate tubular member extending distally from the handle;   an end effector provided on a distal end of the elongate tubular member;   a driver mounted for movement relative to the elongate tubular member to operate the end effector, the driver defining a first longitudinal axis;   an energy storage mechanism for storing and providing energy to effect movement of the driver, the energy storage mechanism having a piston and a piston rod, the piston being operably associated with the driver to effect movement of the driver in a distal direction, the piston rod defining a second longitudinal axis that is orthogonal to the first longitudinal axis; and   an actuation mechanism communicating with the energy storage mechanism to control the release of the energy stored in the energy storage mechanism.   
     
     
         22 . The surgical instrument as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the energy storage mechanism includes a spring. 
     
     
         23 . The surgical instrument as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising an energizing handle connected with the piston rod, the energizing handle being movable to effect movement of the piston to store energy in the storage mechanism. 
     
     
         24 . The surgical instrument as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the actuation mechanism includes a fluid to control the release of energy stored in the energy storage mechanism.