Patent ID: 8657808

Claim:
A surgical apparatus, comprising: a handpiece having a first housing to be grasped by a user, wherein the first housing encloses at least a motor that is configured to operate a surgical tool received by the handpiece; a control separate and spaced apart from the handpiece, wherein the control is configured to receive a first position signal and generate a second control signal for the motor; and a cable assembly separate from the handpiece and the control, wherein the cable assembly is configured to be selectively and removably connected to the handpiece, the cable assembly further comprising: a sensing element to generate the first position signal; at least one electrical conductor configured to transmit the first position signal and the second control signal; a second housing having a wall surrounding the at least one electrical conductor and the sensing element, the second housing integrated with the cable assembly while configured to be selectively and removably connected to the handpiece, wherein the at least one conductor extends through the second housing and along a cable body away from the second housing; a switch member configured to be connected to and moveable relative the second housing, wherein the switch member is configured to be moved by manual operation of the user; and a signaling member fixed relative to the switch member and moveable with the switch member relative to the sensing element surrounded by the second housing; wherein the sensing element, surrounded by the second housing, is positioned between the motor in the handpiece and the control when the cable assembly is selectively connected to the handpiece and the control, wherein the sensing element is configured to generate the first position signal based at least on a position of the signaling member relative to the sensing element.