SURGICAL INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A ROTATABLE SHAFT

摘要

Various electrical and slip ring connector arrangements configured to facilitate the passage of electrical current and signals between two components that are rotatable relative to each other such as an interchangeable surgical shaft assembly that includes portions that are rotatable relative to fixed mounting portions.

主权项

1. A slip ring connector comprising:
a mounting member including an annular mounting surface extending completely around an axis; a circuit trace assembly comprising a flexible substrate wrapped around the annular mounting surface and being attached thereto, the circuit trace assembly including a plurality of electrically-conductive circuit traces thereon such that when the flexible substrate is wrapped around the annular mounting surface, each electrically-conductive circuit trace forms a discrete, continuous annular electrically-conductive path extending around the axis; and an electrical component including a contact corresponding to each of the continuous annular conductive paths and wherein one of the annular mounting member and the electrical component is rotatable about the axis such that each said contact is in electrical contact with the continuous annular electrically-conductive path corresponding thereto during said rotation of one of the annular mounting member and electrical component about the axis.