# US 10,117,709 B2 · Modular surgical instruments with contained electrical or mechanical systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,117,709 B2 - Document ID: US10117709B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/613,362 - Filed: 2017-06-05 - Published: 2017-09-21 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-14 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: James D. Allen, IV; Ryan C. Artale; Glenn A. Horner; Duane E. Kerr; Peter M. Mueller; Arlen J. Reschke; Robert M. Sharp; Robert B. Stoddard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117709B2 ## CPC - A61B 18/1482: {having a long rigid shaft for accessing the inner body transcutaneously in minimal invasive surgery, e.g. laparoscopy} - A61B 17/285: combined with cutting implements - A61B 17/2909: {Handles} - A61B 18/1206: {Generators therefor} - A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod} - A61B 17/295: combined with cutting implements - A61B 2017/2948: {Sealing means, e.g. for sealing the interior from fluid entry} - A61B 2018/00196: {reciprocating lengthwise} - A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation} - A61B 2018/00595: {Cauterization} - A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting} - A61B 2018/00607: {Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61B 2018/0091: {Handpieces of the surgical instrument or device} - A61B 2018/00916: {with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device} - A61B 2018/00982: {combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes} - A61B 2018/1455: {having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft module and a handle module selectively separable from one another. The elongated shaft module includes an elongated shaft member and a pair of jaw members supported at a distal end of the elongated shaft member, at least one of the jaw members moveable relative to the other jaw member between open and closed positions. The handle module includes a housing including an opening extending longitudinally therethrough. The opening is dimensioned to permit passage of the pair of jaw members in the closed position. The handle module also includes a movable handle movable relative to the housing to move the pair of jaw members between open and closed positions, and a lock to secure the elongated shaft module in place within the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical instrument, comprising: a handle module including at least one handle having a gripping surface; and a drive assembly configured to be selectively removable from the handle module, the drive assembly including: a housing; an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis extending from the housing; an end effector disposed at a distal end of the elongated shaft, the end effector including a pair of jaw members, wherein at least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member between an open position and a closed position; a drive member extending at least partially though the elongated shaft, the drive member operably coupled to the end effector and configured to induce movement of the jaw members between the open position and the closed position in response to longitudinal reciprocation of the drive member; a knife extending at least partially through the elongated shaft; and a seal member operatively coupled to the elongated shaft and configured to prevent contaminants from entering the elongated shaft. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is a flexible seal member operably coupled to a distal portion of the elongated shaft or a proximal portion of the end effector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein the flexible seal member is constructed of heat-shrink tubing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is a bellows seal operably coupled to a distal portion of the elongated shaft or a proximal portion of the knife. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a second seal member disposed between the elongated shaft and the knife. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the seal member is a wiper seal including a flap circumscribing and coupled to an interior of the elongated shaft, the flap configured to flex to maintain contact with the knife as the knife moves in a longitudinal direction. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a cable extending from the housing, the cable connectable to a source of electrosurgical energy. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the cable is in electrical communication with an electrical conduit extending through the elongated shaft to transmit an electrosurgical current to the end effector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the housing is moisture impervious. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the drive assembly includes a slot defined within the housing, the slot configured to correspondingly mate with a post extending from the handle module. ### Claim 11 A drive assembly configured to be selectively removable from a handle module of a surgical instrument, the drive assembly comprising: a housing; an elongated shaft defining a longitudinal axis extending from the housing; an end effector disposed at a distal end of the elongated shaft, the end effector including a pair of jaw members, wherein at least one of the jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member between an open position and a closed position; a drive member extending at least partially though the elongated shaft, the drive member operably coupled to the end effector and configured to induce movement of the jaw members between the open position and the closed position in response to longitudinal reciprocation of the drive member; a knife extending at least partially through the elongated shaft; and a seal member operatively coupled to the elongated shaft and configured to prevent contaminants from entering the elongated shaft. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The drive assembly according to claim 11, wherein the seal member is a flexible seal member operably coupled to a distal portion of the elongated shaft or a proximal portion of the end effector. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The drive assembly according to claim 12, wherein the flexible seal member is constructed of heat-shrink tubing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The drive assembly according to claim 11, wherein the seal member is a bellows seal operably coupled to a distal portion of the elongated shaft or a proximal portion of the knife. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The drive assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a second seal member disposed between the elongated shaft and the knife. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The drive assembly according to claim 11, wherein the seal member is a wiper seal including a flap circumscribing and coupled to an interior of the elongated shaft, the flap configured to flex to maintain contact with the knife as the knife moves in a longitudinal direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The drive assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a cable extending from the housing, the cable connectable to a source of electrosurgical energy. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The drive assembly according to claim 17, wherein the cable is in electrical communication with an electrical conduit extending through the elongated shaft to transmit an electrosurgical current to the end effector. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The drive assembly according to claim 11, wherein the housing is moisture impervious. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The drive assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a slot defined within the housing, the slot configured to correspondingly mate with a post extending from the handle module.