Patent ID: 11862884
Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC H  A | IPC A  H

Claim 0:
1. A surgical instrument, comprising:
a housing;
an elongated portion extending distally from the housing, defining a longitudinal axis, and including an electrical contact having at least five segments including a first segment, a second segment, a third segment, a fourth segment, and a fifth segment, the second segment being adjacent to and extending distally from the first segment, the third segment being adjacent to and extending distally from the second segment, the fourth segment being adjacent to and extending distally from the third segment, and the fifth segment being adjacent to and extending distally from the fourth segment; and
a loading unit configured to releasably engage the elongated portion, the loading unit including:
an electronic component;
a proximal portion including an electrical contact in electrical communication with the electronic component; and
an end effector coupled to the proximal portion and configured to manipulate tissue;

wherein engagement between the elongated portion and the loading unit causes the electrical contact of the elongated portion to engage the electrical contact of the loading unit thereby electrically connecting the elongated portion and the loading unit.