Patent ID: 7950562

Claim:
A surgical instrument comprising: an elongated body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a rod extending therethrough; a loading unit removably mountable on the elongated body and having a tool assembly; a sensor mechanism arranged for engagement by the loading unit and movement with the loading unit upon mounting of the loading unit on the elongated body, the sensor mechanism having a sensor tube configured to rotate along with the loading unit when the loading unit is mounted on the elongated body; and a handle assembly including a locking structure having a release flange, the locking structure having a first position for blocking movement of the sensor mechanism and a second position for allowing movement of the sensor mechanism so that the loading unit is removable from the elongated body when the sensor mechanism is in the second position, wherein the locking structure is configured to inhibit rotation of the sensor tube when located in the first position and the release flange rotates relative to the handle assembly and remains axially stationary with respect to the elongated body in response to translation of the locking structure between the first and second positions.