Features for communication of fluid through shaft assembly of ultrasonic surgical instrument

An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a body;
• (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft assembly defines a first fluid passageway;
• (c) an end effector located at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade, wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to longitudinally translate proximally relative to the shaft assembly and relative to the body such that the ultrasonic blade is configured to translate into the shaft assembly and toward the body such that the ultrasonic blade is in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway;
• and
• (d) a rotation input assembly rotatably coupled with the shaft assembly such that the rotation input assembly is operable to rotate the shaft assembly and the end effector about the longitudinal axis, wherein the rotation input assembly defines a second fluid passageway in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway such that the end effector is configured to receive fluid communicated from the second fluid passageway.

An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) a body;
• (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft assembly further defines a first fluid passageway, wherein the shaft assembly comprises an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member, wherein the first fluid passageway is defined between an outer surface of the inner tubular member and an inner surface of the outer tubular member, wherein the outer tubular member defines a first pair of lateral openings in fluid communication with the first fluid passageway;
• (c) a rotation input assembly coupled with the shaft assembly, wherein the rotation input assembly is operable to rotate the shaft assembly about the longitudinal axis, wherein the rotation input assembly defines a second fluid passageway, wherein the first pair of lateral openings of the outer tubular member is positioned within the rotatable member such that the first pair of lateral openings is configured to provide a pathway for fluid communication from the second fluid passageway to the first fluid passageway;
• and
• (d) an end effector located at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade, wherein a second pair of lateral openings is positioned proximal to the distal end and coincident with the ultrasonic blade such that the second pair of lateral openings is configured to provide a pathway for fluid communication from the first fluid passageway to the ultrasonic blade.