A surgical instrument including one or both of a shield on a distal end portion of a shaft and a counterweight in a handle for enhanced functionality, efficiency and/or efficacy. The shield covers portions of a linkage that extend beyond outer dimensions of the shaft during operation of the instrument. The counterweight is proximal to a hand grip and configured to locate a center of gravity of the instrument within the hand grip. The instrument may be configured as a video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) and/or minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) device.
