Molded insulating hinge for bipolar instruments
First Claim
1. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:
- first and second elongated shafts each having an end effector attached to a distal end thereof and a handle, said handles 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 for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another; and
a hinge assembly formed from an overmold composition which, when cured, encapsulates said hinge plates, said overmold composition 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
13 Claims
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1. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:
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first and second elongated shafts each having an end effector attached to a distal end thereof and a handle, said handles 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 for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another; and
a hinge assembly formed from an overmold composition which, when cured, encapsulates said hinge plates, said overmold composition 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. (canceled)
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10. (canceled)
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11. (canceled)
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12. (canceled)
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13. An electrosurgical instrument comprising:
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first and second elongated shafts each having an end effector attached to a distal end thereof and a handle, said handles 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 that mounts atop a pivot assembly for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another;
a hinge assembly formed from an overmold composition that, when cured, encapsulates said hinge plates, said overmold composition being made from an electrically insulating material that insulates each of said end effectors from one another; and
the hinge assembly including a stop member for limiting the movement of said end effectors relative to one another.
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Specification