Molded insulating hinge for bipolar instruments
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:
- of first and second elongated shafts each having an end effector attached to a distal end thereof and a handle, said handle being movable from a first position wherein the end effectors are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the end effectors are closer relative to one another;
each of said elongated shafts including a hinge plate which mounts atop a pivot assembly which effects movement of the end effectors relative to one another; and
a hinge assembly made from an overmold composition which, when cured, encapsulates said hinge plates, said overmold composition of said hinge assembly being made from an electrically insulating material which insulates each of said end effectors from one another.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of first and second elongated shafts each having an end effector attached to a distal end thereof and a handle. The handle is movable from a first position wherein the end effectors are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the end effectors are closer relative to one another. Each of the elongated shafts includes a hinge plate which mounts atop a pivot assembly for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The instrument also includes a hinge assembly made from an overmold composition which encapsulates and secures the hinge plates and the pivot assembly. The overmold composition is made from an electrically insulating material which insulates the end effectors from one another.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:
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of first and second elongated shafts each having an end effector attached to a distal end thereof and a handle, said handle being movable from a first position wherein the end effectors are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the end effectors are closer relative to one another;
each of said elongated shafts including a hinge plate which mounts atop a pivot assembly which effects movement of the end effectors relative to one another; and
a hinge assembly made from an overmold composition which, when cured, encapsulates said hinge plates, said overmold composition of said hinge assembly being made from an electrically insulating material which insulates each of said end effectors from one another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of forming a hinge assembly comprising the steps of:
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providing a pair of first and second elongated shafts each having an end effector attached to a distal end thereof, a handle and a hinge plate, said handle effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another;
mounting said elongated shafts to a die block;
introducing an overmold composition into said die block to encapsulate at least a portion of said hinge plates; and
curing said overmold composition to form said hinge assembly. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification