System and method for electrical coupling of a surgical system or part thereof

A method of assembling a surgical system, the method comprising:

• providing an assembly comprising a tubular shaft having a wall defining an outer surface and an inner surface disposed about an inner space, the tubular shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a light emitter and a light sensor disposed at the distal end of the tubular shaft, one or more conductors electrically coupled to the light emitter or the light sensor, the one or more conductors extending from the distal end of the tubular shaft to the proximal end of the shaft, and the one or more conductors disposed radially outward of the inner surface of the tubular shaft;
• providing a surgical instrument comprising an elongated element and first and second jaws attached to a distal end of the elongated structure;
• disposing the tubular shaft about the elongated element;
• and
• attaching the light emitter to the first jaw and the light sensor to the second jaw.