Patent ID: 6887244

Claim:
A surgical instrument comprising: (a) a handpiece having a tool supporting end, and a battery receiving end, the battery receiving end having: a first set of substantially concentrically arranged electrical contacts; and first and second opposing flanges substantially perpendicular to and opposing a longitudinal axis of the handpiece and separated by first and second gaps of substantially different widths opposing the longitudinal axis; and (b) a sterile package comprising a single surgical use, disposable battery pack having an attachment end, the attachment end having; a second set of substantially concentrically arranged electrical contacts; and third and fourth flanges opposing the handpiece longitudinal axis, substantially parallel to and slidably engaged with the first and second opposing flanges, and configured to pass through a corresponding one of the first and second gaps in a single, predetermined relative position; (c) wherein the two sets of contacts are adapted to become lockingly and conductively interengaged upon engagement of each of the third and fourth flanges with a corresponding one of the first and second flanges in response to rotation of the battery pack relative to the handpiece.