Surgical instrument with modular shaft and end effector

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• (a) a body assembly, wherein the body assembly comprises:
• (i) a body,
• (ii) a resilient element housed within the body, and
• (iii) an actuator housed within the body;
• and
• (b) an end effector assembly configured to releasably couple with the body assembly, wherein the end effector assembly comprises:
• (i) an end effector operable to clamp tissue, and
• (ii) a shaft assembly extending proximally from the end effector, wherein the shaft assembly comprises:
• (A) a first shaft, wherein the first shaft is configured to remain longitudinally fixed relative to the body, and
• (B) a second shaft translatably disposed relative to the first shaft, wherein a proximal end of the second shaft is configured to couple with the actuator such that the second shaft is operable to actuate a portion of the end effector in response to movement of the actuator, and
• (iii) a proximal coupling feature disposed at a proximal end of the end effector assembly,
• wherein the resilient element is configured to resiliently engage the proximal coupling feature and thereby fix the first shaft longitudinally relative to the body while permitting rotation of the first shaft relative to the body and permitting translation of the second shaft relative to the first shaft and the body.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• (a) a body assembly, wherein the body assembly comprises:
• (i) a body,
• (ii) a trigger movably coupled to the body,
• (iii) a resilient element housed within the body, and
• (iv) an actuator housed within the body, wherein the actuator is operatively coupled with the trigger;
• and
• (b) an end effector assembly configured to releasably couple with the body assembly, wherein the end effector assembly comprises:
• (i) an end effector, wherein the end effector includes a pair of jaws operable to clamp tissue therebetween,
• (ii) an elongate member extending proximally relative to the end effector, wherein a distal end of the elongate member is operatively coupled with the end effector, wherein a proximal end of the elongate member is configured to couple with the actuator such that the elongate member is operable to actuate the jaws relative one another in response to actuation of the trigger, and
• (iii) a proximal coupling feature disposed at a proximal end of the end effector assembly,
• wherein the resilient element is configured to resiliently engage the proximal coupling feature and thereby fix the end effector longitudinally relative to the body while permitting translation and rotation of the elongate member relative to the body.