Seal for surgical instrument

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• (a) a body assembly, wherein the body assembly includes a first electrical connector;
• (b) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft assembly is configured to slide into engagement with the body assembly along an installation axis that extends transversely to the longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft assembly includes a second electrical connector configured to establish an electrical connection with the first electrical connector when the shaft assembly attaches to the body assembly;
• (c) a sealing layer disposed between the shaft assembly and the body assembly, wherein the sealing layer is configured to establish a liquid-tight seal that surrounds the electrical connection when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly;
• and
• (d) an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector is operable to treat tissue.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• (a) a body assembly, wherein the body assembly includes:
• (i) a first electrical contact, and
• (ii) a first sealing portion;
• (b) a shaft assembly, wherein the shaft assembly is configured to releasably attach to and extend distally from the body assembly, wherein the shaft assembly includes:
• (i) a second electrical contact, and
• (ii) a second sealing portion;
• and
• (c) an end effector at a distal end of the shaft assembly, wherein the end effector is operable to treat tissue,
• wherein the first and second electrical contacts are configured to electrically couple together to establish an electrical connection therebetween when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly,
• wherein the first sealing portion is configured to sealingly engage a portion of the shaft assembly and the second sealing portion is configured to sealingly engage a portion of the body assembly to thereby establish a liquid-tight seal that surrounds the electrical connection when the shaft assembly is attached to the body assembly.