A sterilizable surgical power tool and an operating unit for the surgical power tool are described. The operating unit includes a hermetically sealed metal capsule for arrangement in the region of a housing of the surgical power tool, the capsule having a contact surface for a finger on an outer face. A force sensor which is in force-transmitting connection to the contact surface is arranged inside the capsule. At least one electrical contact leads out of the capsule. The capsule may be a low-cost standard transistor housing.
