Surgical instrument with pivoting coupling to modular shaft and end effector

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• (a) a body including an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic transducer defines an axis;
• (b) a shaft assembly configured to removably couple with the body, wherein the shaft assembly comprises:
• (i) an end effector, the end effector including an ultrasonic blade, and
• (ii) a waveguide configured to removably couple with the transducer, wherein the waveguide is in communication with the ultrasonic blade, wherein the waveguide is configured to transmit energy from the transducer to the ultrasonic blade, wherein the waveguide defines a longitudinal axis;
• wherein one or both of the body or the shaft assembly includes a pivot feature, wherein the body is configured to receive the shaft assembly through an upper receiving portion of the body, wherein the upper receiving portion is shaped to complement the shaft assembly, wherein the pivot feature is operable to secure the shaft assembly to the body by pivoting the shaft assembly about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis defined by the waveguide, wherein the shaft assembly is pivotable between a first pivotal position and a second pivotal position, wherein the waveguide is aligned with the axis of the transducer when the shaft assembly is in the first pivotal position, wherein the waveguide is in acoustic communication with the transducer when the shaft assembly is in the first pivotal position, wherein the waveguide is not aligned with the axis of the transducer when the shaft assembly is in the second pivotal position, wherein the waveguide is acoustically decoupled from the transducer when the shaft assembly is in the second pivotal position.

A surgical instrument, comprising:

• (a) a body comprising a first portion and a second portion;
• (b) an ultrasonic energy source positioned within the first portion of the body;
• and
• (c) a shaft assembly rotatably secured to the second portion of the body, wherein the shaft assembly comprises:
• (i) an end effector, and
• (ii) an acoustic transmission member in communication with the end effector, wherein the acoustic transmission member defines a longitudinal axis;
• wherein one or both of the first portion or second portion of the body includes a pivot feature, wherein the pivot feature is operable to pivot the second portion of the body relative to the first portion of the body about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the acoustic transmission member between an unsecured position and a secured position, wherein the shaft assembly is aligned with the ultrasonic energy source when the pivot feature is in the secured position, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the body together form a housing when the pivot feature is in the secured position, wherein the second portion of the body is decoupled from the first portion of the body when the pivot feature is in the unsecured position.