SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH REMOVABLE SHAFT APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

A surgical instrument includes a shaft having a proximal end and a distal en d with an operating device disposed at the distal end. A cable assembly is carried by the shaft and extends proximally to a terminus. A handle assembly coupled to the cable assembly concludes a first handle and a second handle. The first handle includes portions configured to receive the terminus and th e proximal end of the shaft while portions of the second handle are configured to receive the terminus of the cable assembly. The proximal end of the shaft and the terminus are simultaneously rotatable (10) to cover the proximal end of the shaft to the portions of the first handle and to couple the terminus to the portions of the second handle. The handle assembly can be made sterilizable with a minimum of non~bearing surfaces, while the shaft assembl y can be made disposable and interchangeable with various operating devices.