Endoscopic instrument with detachable end effector

In a surgical instrument for use in endoscopy comprising a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end;

• an end effector comprising a first piece and a second piece, each piece being pivotally attached directly to the distal end of the tubular member;
• linkage extending through the tubular member, the linkage comprising a first elongated member operably connected to the first end effector piece, the linkage further comprising a second elongated member operably connected to the second end effector piece;
• and a handle attached to the proximal end of the tubular member, the handle comprising a first control means for causing translational movement of the first elongated member relative to the second elongated member, thereby causing the end effector piece operably coupled to the first elongated member to pivot relative to the other end effector piece, the handle further comprising a second control means independent of the first control means, the second control means for causing relative translational movement between the tubular member and both the first and second elongated members without significant relative translational movement between the first and second elongated members, thereby causing the first and second end effector pieces to pivot simultaneously in the same direction;
• an end effector detachment means wherein:
• the tubular member comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion, the end effector being pivotally attached to the distal end of the distal portion, the two portions having coupling means for attaching and detaching the proximal and distal portions;
• and
• each of the first and second elongated members comprises a proximal section and a distal section, the end effector being operably coupled to the distal end of the distal sections, each of the sections having mating means for attaching and detaching each of the proximal sections to its respective distal section, the tubular member coupling means and first and second elongated member mating means thereby allowing for detachment and replacement of an assembly comprising the end effector from and to the remainder of the surgical instrument.