Importance

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Abstract

A surgical instrument for providing an ionized gas to a surgical site includes a receptacle for at least one cylinder of pressurized surgical gas and a frame having a port near the distal end for emitting the surgical gas. A passageway extending between the receptacle and the port delivers the surgical gas to the port. A puncture assembly for rupturing a seal on at least one cylinder to release the surgical gas into the passageway includes at least one bank for storing mechanical energy which may include at least one spring. An actuator is operable to actuate the at least one bank release the mechanical energy. At least one puncture pin is operatively coupled to the at least one bank such that energy released by the at least one bank is effective to move the at least one puncture pin relative to at least one cylinder to rupture the seal.

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First Claim