Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a switch base, a power bus coupled to the switch base, an electrical lead coupled to the power bus, an actuator operatively engaged with the power bus, an actuator operatively engaged with the power bus, a membrane, and a housing. The switch base has top, bottom, and side surfaces. The membrane is disposed over the top surface of the switch base and over the power bus to seal the top surface of the switch base. The housing defines proximal and distal ends and a switch base cavity between the proximal and distal ends. The housing includes bulkheads that form a plurality of fluid impermeable seals that are disposed adjacent one of the proximal and distal ends. The fluid impermeable seals are configured to deter fluid from penetrating a proximal portion of the switch base cavity within which the electrical lead is coupled to the power bus.

Abstract: A method of assembling a surgical instrument includes coupling a power bus to a switch base that has a top, a bottom, and side surfaces; adhering a membrane to the top surface of the switch base over the power bus to form a switch base assembly; positioning the switch base assembly within a first portion of a switch base cavity defined by a lower housing portion; and joining the lower housing portion with an upper housing portion. The upper housing portion defines a second portion of the switch base cavity. Joining the lower housing portion with the upper housing portion disposes the switch base within the first portion of the switch base cavity and prevents fluid from penetrating a proximal portion of the switch base cavity within which an electrical lead is coupled to the power bus.

Abstract: A method of assembling a surgical instrument includes coupling a power bus to a switch base that has a top, a bottom, and side surfaces; adhering a membrane to the top surface of the switch base over the power bus to form a switch base assembly; positioning the switch base assembly within a first portion of a switch base cavity defined by a lower housing portion; and joining the lower housing portion with an upper housing portion. The upper housing portion defines a second portion of the switch base cavity. Joining the lower housing portion with the upper housing portion disposes the switch base within the first portion of the switch base cavity and prevents fluid from penetrating a proximal portion of the switch base cavity within which an electrical lead is coupled to the power bus.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a switch base, a power bus coupled to the switch base, an electrical lead coupled to the power bus, an actuator operatively engaged with the power bus, an actuator operatively engaged with the power bus, a membrane, and a housing. The switch base has top, bottom, and side surfaces. The membrane is disposed over the top surface of the switch base and over the power bus to seal the top surface of the switch base. The housing defines proximal and distal ends and a switch base cavity between the proximal and distal ends. The housing includes bulkheads that form a plurality of fluid impermeable seals that are disposed adjacent one of the proximal and distal ends. The fluid impermeable seals are configured to deter fluid from penetrating a proximal portion of the switch base cavity within which the electrical lead is coupled to the power bus.