Induction Sealing

• US 20110270250A1
• Filed: 04/28/2010
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Horner, Glenn A., Roy, Jeffrey M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,568,397 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/49
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/085 Forceps, scissors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0013 non-sticking
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing

Abstract

An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The end effector assembly has a first jaw member having a support base and a sealing plate formed from a ferrous material. The end effector assembly also has a second jaw member including a support base, an electrical jaw lead and a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead. The sealing plate includes a first layer formed from a non-stick material and a second layer having a coil formed thereon.

Claims

1. An end effector assembly, comprising:

a first jaw member having a support base and a sealing plate formed from a ferrous material; and

a second jaw member comprising;

a support base;

an electrical jaw lead; and

a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead, the sealing plate having a first layer formed from a non-stick material and a second layer having a coil formed thereon.

2. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the non-stick material is glass.

3. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second layer is a flex circuit, wherein the coil is coupled to a flexible plastic substrate.

4. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrical jaw lead is ultrasonically welded to the coil of the sealing plate.

5. An electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue, comprising:

a housing having at least one shaft extending therefrom;

a handle assembly operably associated with the housing;

an end effector assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the at least one shaft, the end effector comprising;

a first jaw member having a support base and a sealing plate formed from a ferrous material; and

a second jaw member comprising;

a support base;

an electrical jaw lead; and

a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead, the sealing plate having a first layer formed from a non-stick material and a second layer having a coil formed thereon.

6. An end effector assembly, comprising:

a first jaw member having a support base and a sealing plate formed from a ferrous material; and

a second jaw member comprising;

a support base;

an electrical jaw lead; and

a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead, the sealing plate having;

a first layer formed from a non-stick material;

a pair of flex circuits, each flex circuit having a coil formed thereon; and

at least one insulative layer disposed between the pair of flex circuits.

7. The end effector assembly according to claim 6, wherein a first flex circuit in the pair of flex circuits has a first coil and a second flex circuit in the pair flex circuits has a second coil.

8. The end effector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first coil and the second coil exhibit similar properties when energy is applied to each coil.

9. The end effector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first coil and the second coil exhibit different properties when energy is applied to each coil.