Surgical shaft assemblies with flexible interfaces

Abstract

A slip ring assembly is used with a surgical shaft assembly. The slip ring assembly includes a slip ring, a first conductor mounted on the slip ring, a commutator rotatable relative to the slip ring, and a second conductor mounted on the commutator. The slip ring assembly further includes a flexible member disposed between the slip ring and the commutator. The flexible member comprises a body and flexible protrusions extending from the body, wherein the flexible protrusions are elastically deformed against the first slip ring.

1 - 20 . (Canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A slip ring assembly for use with a surgical shaft assembly, the slip ring assembly comprising:
 a first connector defining a first aperture;   a first conductor positioned on the first connector;   a second connector rotatable relative to the first connector, wherein the second connector defines a second aperture;   a second conductor positioned on the second connector, wherein the second conductor is configured to electrically engage the first conductor; and   a seal positioned between the first connector and the second connector, wherein the seal defines a third aperture, and wherein the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture cooperatively define a central passage through the slip ring assembly.   
     
     
         22 . The slip ring assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the seal is configured to prevent the first connector from engaging the second connector. 
     
     
         23 . The slip ring assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the seal comprises a body, wherein an opening is defined in the body, and wherein the second conductor is configured to extend through the opening to electrically engage the first conductor. 
     
     
         24 . The slip ring assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the seal further comprises ribs. 
     
     
         25 . The slip ring assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the ribs comprise:
 a first rib defining an outer edge of the seal; and   a second rib defining the third aperture of the seal.   
     
     
         26 . The slip ring assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the ribs are concentric. 
     
     
         27 . The slip ring assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the seal is flexible. 
     
     
         28 . A surgical instrument, comprising:
 a shaft assembly, comprising:
 a proximal shaft portion; 
 a distal shaft portion rotatable relative to the proximal shaft portion; and 
   a slip ring assembly, comprising:
 a proximal connector supported by the proximal shaft portion, wherein the proximal connector defines a first aperture; 
 a distal connector supported by the distal shaft portion, wherein the distal connector defines a second aperture; 
 first conductors positioned on the proximal connector; 
 second conductors positioned on the distal connector, wherein the second conductors are configured to electrically engage the first conductors; and 
 a gasket positioned between the proximal connector and the distal connector, wherein the gasket defines a third aperture, and wherein the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture cooperatively define a central passage through the slip ring assembly. 
   
     
     
         29 . The surgical instrument of  claim 28 , wherein the second conductors are spaced apart laterally and radially from one another. 
     
     
         30 . The surgical instrument of  claim 28 , further comprising:
 an end effector, comprising:
 a first jaw; and 
 a second jaw rotatable relative to the first jaw between an open position and a closed position; and 
   a closure tube configured to move the second jaw toward the closed position, wherein the closure tube extends through the central passage.   
     
     
         31 . The surgical instrument of  claim 28 , wherein the gasket is configured to prevent the proximal connector from engaging the distal connector. 
     
     
         32 . The surgical instrument of  claim 28 , wherein the gasket comprises a body, wherein openings are defined in the body, and wherein each second conductor is configured to extend through an opening of the openings to electrically engage a first conductor of the first conductors. 
     
     
         33 . The surgical instrument of  claim 32 , wherein the gasket further comprises treads. 
     
     
         34 . The surgical instrument of  claim 33 , wherein the treads comprise:
 a first tread defining an outer edge of the gasket; and   a second tread defining the third aperture of the gasket.   
     
     
         35 . The surgical instrument of  claim 33 , wherein the treads are concentric. 
     
     
         36 . The surgical instrument of  claim 28 , wherein the gasket is flexible. 
     
     
         37 . A slip ring assembly for use with a surgical shaft assembly, the slip ring assembly comprising:
 a first connector defining a first aperture;   a first conductor positioned on the first connector;   a second connector rotatable relative to the first connector, wherein the second connector defines a second aperture;   a second conductor positioned on the second connector, wherein the second conductor is configured to electrically engage the first conductor, and   a seal positioned between the first connector and the second connector, wherein the seal defines a third aperture, and wherein the first aperture, the second aperture, and the third aperture cooperatively define a central passage through the slip ring assembly, wherein the seal comprises a body and ribs extending from the body, wherein the ribs comprise:
 a first rib; and 
 a second rib; 
 wherein the first rib and the second rib are configured to retain fluid away from at least one of the first conductor or the second conductor. 
   
     
     
         38 . The slip ring assembly of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 a third rib, wherein a first groove is defined between the first rib and the third rib, wherein the first groove is configured to trap body fluid that passes the first rib; and   a fourth rib, wherein a second groove is defined between the second rib and the fourth rib, wherein the second groove is configured to trap body fluid that passes the second rib.   
     
     
         39 . The slip ring assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the ribs are concentric. 
     
     
         40 . The slip ring assembly of  claim 37 , wherein an opening is defined in the body, wherein the second conductor is configured to extend through the opening to electrically engage the first conductor.