Abstract: A handpiece for a surgical instrument having a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect the position of a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen of the instrument. The distal end of the handpiece is arranged to couple to a cutting accessory. The handpiece includes: a housing; a suction lumen within the housing extending from the distal end of the handpiece to a proximal end of the handpiece; a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen; and a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect a position of the valve. The valve position sensing circuit can be used to alert a surgeon if the valve is closed when it would be preferable for it to be open. For example, if the motor is overheating, the in-joint temperature is too high, or the RF component is activated.

Abstract: A handpiece for a surgical instrument having a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect the position of a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen of the instrument. The distal end of the handpiece is arranged to couple to a cutting accessory. The handpiece comprises: a housing; a suction lumen within the housing extending from the distal end of the handpiece to a proximal end of the handpiece; a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen; and a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect a position of the valve. The valve position sensing circuit can be used to alert a surgeon if the valve is closed when it would be preferable for it to be open. For example, if the motor is overheating, the in-joint temperature is too high, or the RF component is activated.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, comprising a motor drive unit comprising a motor drive unit; a rotary surgical end effector arranged to be coupled to the motor drive unit; and a coupling means for coupling the motor drive unit and the rotary surgical end effector, the coupling means being configured such that there is only one possible rotational alignment between the rotary surgical end effector and the motor drive unit when coupled. This arrangement guarantees the rotational position of the rotary surgical end effector in relation to the rotational position of the motor drive unit. This enables quick and easy control of the rotational position of the rotary surgical end effector.

Abstract: A surgical instrument is disclosed, which is configured to be releasably connectable to a hand-piece. The surgical instrument includes electrical contacts configured to be electrically connected to the hand-piece. The surgical instrument further includes a sealing member having sealing elements. At least one sealing element of the plurality of sealing elements is formed of an elastomeric material and is configured to form a seal around one the electrical contacts when the surgical instrument is connected to the hand-piece, such that the electrical contact is electrically isolated from other electrical contacts on the surgical instrument. At least one sealing element is configured such that a force required to connect the surgical instrument to the hand-piece is not reliant on a bulk compression of the elastomeric material.

Abstract: A surgical instrument which is configured to be releasably connected to a hand-piece is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes an elongate shaft, an end effector at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and a connection hub at a proximal end of the elongate shaft. The connection hub includes a moveable member moveable relative to the elongate shaft. The moveable member is configured to be switchable between an on position and an off position. During insertion of the surgical instrument into the hand-piece, an electrical connection therebetween is prevented by the connection hub when the moveable member is in the on position.

Abstract: A handpiece for a surgical instrument having a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect the position of a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen of the instrument. The distal end of the handpiece is arranged to couple to a cutting accessory. The handpiece comprises: a housing; a suction lumen within the housing extending from the distal end of the handpiece to a proximal end of the handpiece; a valve arranged to control the flow of fluid through the suction lumen; and a valve position sensing circuit arranged to detect a position of the valve. The valve position sensing circuit can be used to alert a surgeon if the valve is closed when it would be preferable for it to be open. For example, if the motor is overheating, the in-joint temperature is too high, or the RF component is activated.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical instrument, configured to be releasably connected to a hand-piece. The electrosurgical instrument comprises an elongate shaft, an end effector at a distal end of the elongate shaft, and an electrical connector interface. The electrical connector interface has at least one female electrical socket configured to receive in use at least one male electrical pin of the hand-piece. Prior to first use, the at least one female electrical socket is sealed from an exterior of the electrosurgical instrument by a pierceable sealing layer. The sealing layer is configured to be pierced by the at least one male electrical pins on first use. A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical system comprising the electrosurgical instrument, the hand-piece and an electrosurgical generator.