Surgical instrument and removable end effector apparatus

A surgical instrument apparatus comprising:

• an elongate tubular body including a proximal end and a distal end and a bore extending through the tubular body;
• an actuator link extending through the bore and configured to move longitudinally within the bore, the actuator link including a first end connected to an actuator at the proximal end of the tubular body and a second end terminating in a coupler, wherein the actuator is configured to cause the actuator link to selectively move between:
• an extended state in which the coupler extends beyond the distal end of the tubular body to permit an end effector to be coupled to the coupler;
• and
• a retracted state in which the coupler is retracted back into the distal end of the tubular body for operation of the surgical instrument apparatus;
• and
• an end effector apparatus removably connected to the coupler of the actuator link, the end effector apparatus including:
• an end effector body configured for connection to the elongate tubular body of the surgical instrument apparatus;
• at least one moveable jaw mounted within the end effector body, the moveable jaw configured to receive and connect to the coupler of the actuator link when in the extended state thereof, and wherein when the actuator link is in the retracted state thereof, the at least one moveable jaw is configured to move in response to pushing and pulling movements of the actuator link;
• and
• an actuator rod at least partially supported within the end effector body, the actuator rod including:
• an actuator rod linkage supporting a jaw actuation pin at a distal end thereof, wherein the jaw actuation pin engages the at least one moveable jaw to effectuate an opening and closing of the end effector apparatus;
• a first resilient element extending proximally from the actuator rod linkage and including a respective pin for selectively engaging an opening defined in the coupler of the actuator link;
• and
• a second resilient element extending proximally from the actuator rod linkage and including a respective pin for selective receipt in a longitudinally extending slot formed in the coupler of the actuator link, and for selective receipt in a longitudinally extending channel defined in the distal end of the elongate tubular body.