Detachable end effector and loader

1. A surgical device, comprising:

a) an elongate shaft comprising an outer tube and an inner rod positioned in the outer tube, the outer tube and inner rod each comprising a distal end and a proximal end;

b) an actuator operably connected to the proximal ends of the outer tube and the inner rod;

c) an end effector adapted for in vivo attachment to and detachment from the elongate shaft, the end effector comprising:

i) an outer casing comprising a first detent mating feature adapted to engage the distal end of the outer tube;

ii) an inner shuttle axially moveable relative the outer casing, the shuttle comprising a second detent mating feature adapted to engage the distal end of the inner rod, wherein the second detent mating feature comprises a pair of proximally oriented prongs, each having a medially oriented tooth adapted to engage a notch on the inner rod;

iii) a pair of surgical jaws having an opened position and closed position dependant on the relative axial position of the shuttle and casing;

d) a tubular loader sized to receive the end effector, the tubular loader comprising third detent mating feature adapted engage end effector.

2. The surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third detent mating features have a threshold disengagement force F 1 , F 2 , and F 3 , respectively, of the following relative magnitudes:

F 1 <F 3 <F 2 .

3. The surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the first detent mating feature comprises a leaf spring on the outer casing adapted to engage a notch on the outer tube.

4. The surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the third detent mating feature comprises a leaf spring on the tubular loader adapted to engage a notch on the outer casing.

5. The surgical device of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the outer tube comprises a sloped surface adapted to engage and laterally spread the prongs thereby disengaging the teeth from the notch on the inner rod.

6. The surgical device of claim 5 , further comprising a pusher operably connected to the outer tube to advance the sloped surface distally.

7. The surgical device of claim 6 , wherein a pin connect the outer tube to the pusher, and the pin rides in an L-shaped slot.

8. A surgical device, comprising:

a) an elongate shaft comprising an outer tube and an inner rod positioned in the outer tube, the outer tube and inner rod each comprising a distal end and a proximal end;

b) an actuator operably connected to the proximal ends of the outer tube and the inner rod;

c) an end effector adapted for in vivo attachment to and detachment from the elongate shaft, the end effector comprising:

i) an outer casing comprising a first mating feature adapted to engage the distal end of the outer tube;

ii) an inner shuttle axially moveable relative the outer casing, the shuttle comprising a second mating feature adapted to engage the distal end of the inner rod;

iii) a pair of surgical jaws having an opened position and closed position dependant on the relative axial position of the shuttle and casing;

wherein the second mating feature comprises a pair of proximally oriented prongs, each having a medially oriented tooth adapted to engage a notch on the inner rod; and

wherein the distal end of the outer tube comprises a sloped surface adapted to engage and laterally spread the prongs thereby disengaging the teeth from the notch on the inner rod.

9. The surgical device of claim 8 , wherein the first mating feature comprises a detent mechanism.