# US 9,872,673 B2 · System and method for performing surgical procedures with a reusable instrument module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,872,673 B2 - Document ID: US9872673B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/990,164 - Filed: 2016-01-07 - Published: 2016-04-28 - Granted: 2018-01-23 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-13 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: John Beardsley; Matthew Chowaniec; Russell Pribanic - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9872673B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/28: Surgical forceps (biopsy forceps A61B10/06; {for holding suture needles or materials A61B17/0483; for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221; surgical scissors A61B17/3201;} obstetrical forceps A61B17/44) - A61B 17/00: Surgical instruments, devices or methods (A61B18/00 takes precedence; dental tools A61C3/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/20) - A61B 17/07207: {the staples being applied sequentially} - A61B 18/04: by heating (by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18) - A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor - A61B 46/10: specially adapted for instruments{, e.g. microscopes} - A61B 2017/00017: {Electrical control of surgical instruments} - A61B 2017/00022: {Sensing or detecting at the treatment site} - A61B 2017/00115: {with audible or visual output} - A61B 2017/00199: {with a console, e.g. a control panel with a display} - A61B 2017/00398: {using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids} - A61B 2017/00464: {for use with different instruments} - A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing} - A61B 2017/00734: {battery operated} - A61B 2017/00907: {for light} - A61B 2017/00955: {thermoplastic} - A61B 2090/0813: {Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A surgical instrument includes an outer housing shell defining a cavity, the outer housing shell defining an upper outer housing half and a lower outer housing half, wherein the upper outer housing half defines a longitudinal axis and an instrument module selectively insertable into the cavity of the outer housing shell. The instrument module includes an inner housing shell, at least one motor disposed within the inner housing shell, a control board being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and an energy source being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the control board. The instrument module is inserted into the cavity of the outer housing shell in such a manner that the operative axis of the at least one motor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper outer housing half. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of assembling a surgical instrument, the method comprising: providing an outer housing shell that defines a cavity, the outer housing shell including an upper outer housing and a lower outer housing extending from the upper outer housing, the outer housing shell having a face that defines an opening that is in communication with the cavity; providing an instrument module including an inner housing shell that defines a cavity therein, the inner housing shell having an upper inner housing and a lower inner housing extending from the upper inner housing; and inserting the instrument module into the cavity of the outer housing shell through the opening of the outer housing shell, thereby positioning the upper inner housing of the inner housing shell in the upper outer housing of the outer housing shell and the lower inner housing of the inner housing shell in the lower outer housing of the outer housing shell. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the instrument module passes through the upper outer housing and the lower outer housing when the instrument module is inserted into the cavity of the outer housing shell. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the instrument module is inserted into the cavity of the outer housing shell in such a manner that the operative axis of a motor of the instrument module is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the upper outer housing. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising rotating an instrument shell cover relative to the lower outer housing after the instrument module is inserted into the cavity of the outer housing shell. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising passing a drive shaft of the instrument module through an opening formed in a distal surface of the outer housing shell. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, further comprising forming a fluid-tight seal between the outer housing shell, the inner housing shell, and the drive shaft. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising engaging an instrument shell cover with the face of the outer housing shell thereby covering the cavity and enclosing the inner housing shell of the instrument module within the cavity. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising sterilizing an outer surface of the outer housing shell. ### Claim 9 A surgical instrument, comprising: an outer housing shell defining a cavity therein, the outer housing shell including: an upper outer housing; and a lower outer housing extending from the upper outer housing, the outer housing shell having a face defining an opening that is in communication with the cavity; and an instrument module including an inner housing shell that defines a cavity therein, the inner housing shell having an upper inner housing and a lower inner housing extending from the upper inner housing, wherein the instrument module is configured to be selectively received within the cavity of the outer housing shell through the opening of the outer housing shell such that the upper inner housing of the inner housing shell is positioned in the upper outer housing of the outer housing shell and the lower inner housing of the inner housing shell is positioned in the lower outer housing of the outer housing shell. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the face of the outer housing shell is formed at a proximal end of the upper outer housing and a proximal end of the lower outer housing, the opening of the outer housing shell collectively defined by the upper outer housing and the lower outer housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the instrument module includes a motor disposed in the cavity of the inner housing shell, the motor defining an operative axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the upper outer housing. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The surgical instrument according to claim 9, further comprising an instrument shell cover rotatably coupled to the lower outer housing and configured to selectively enclose the inner housing shell of the instrument module within the cavity of the outer housing shell. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the instrument module further includes a drive shaft disposed in the cavity of the inner housing shell and configured to extend through an opening formed in a distal surface of the outer housing shell. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the outer housing shell includes a seal supported in a distal portion thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The surgical instrument according to claim 9, wherein the instrument module includes a circuit board disposed within the cavity of the inner housing shell. ### Claim 16 A surgical instrument, comprising: an outer housing shell defining a cavity therein, the outer housing shell including: an upper outer housing; and a lower outer housing extending from the upper outer housing, the outer housing shell having a face defining an opening that is in communication with the cavity; and an instrument module including: an inner housing shell having an upper inner housing and a lower inner housing extending from the upper inner housing; and at least one of a motor disposed in the inner housing shell or a drive shaft disposed in the inner housing shell, wherein the instrument module is configured to be selectively received within the cavity of the outer housing shell through the opening of the outer housing shell such that the upper inner housing of the inner housing shell is positioned in the upper outer housing of the outer housing shell and the lower inner housing of the inner housing shell is positioned in the lower outer housing of the outer housing shell. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The surgical instrument according to claim 16, wherein the motor is disposed within the upper inner housing of the inner shell housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The surgical instrument according to claim 16, wherein the drive shaft is disposed within the upper inner housing of the inner shell housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The surgical instrument according to claim 16, wherein the motor defines an operative axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis defined by the upper outer housing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The surgical instrument according to claim 16, wherein the drive shaft is configured to extend through an opening formed in a distal surface of the outer housing shell.