Insulated Sealing Plate

• US 20110270251A1
• Filed: 04/29/2010
• Published: 11/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Brandt, Kim V., Horner, Glenn A., Oliver, Christina A.
• Application Number:
  US12/770,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20110270251A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/51
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49147 Assembling terminal to base

Abstract

An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The end effector assembly has a pair of opposing jaw members. Each of the jaw members has a support base, an electrical jaw lead, and a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead. The sealing plate has a stainless steel layer and an electrically insulative layer.

Claims

1. An end effector assembly including a pair of opposing jaw members, each of the jaw members comprising:

a support base;

an electrical jaw lead; and

a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead, the sealing plate having a stainless steel layer and an electrically insulative layer bonded to an underside of the sealing plate.

2. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrically insulative layer is formed from polyimide.

3. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrically insulative layer is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate and polyethylene.

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

5. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrically insulative layer is bonded to the stainless steel layer by adhesive.

6. The end effector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the electrically insulative layer is bonded to the stainless steel layer via heat treatment.

7. An electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue, comprising:

a housing having at least one shaft extending therefrom;

a handle assembly operably coupled to the housing and including at least one movable handle;

a rotating assembly operably coupled to the housing and configured to rotate the at least one shaft; and

an end effector assembly including a pair of opposing jaw members, each of the jaw members comprising;

a support base;

an electrical jaw lead; and

a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead, the sealing plate having a stainless steel layer and an electrically insulative layer bonded to an underside of the sealing plate.

8. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the pair of opposing jaw members each include a knife channel defined longitudinally therethrough.

9. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the electrical jaw lead is coupled to the sealing plate with an ultrasonic weld.

10. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the electrical jaw lead is ultrasonically welded to the stainless steel layer of the sealing plate.

11. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the electrically insulative layer is bonded to the stainless steel layer.

12. The electrosurgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the electrically insulative layer is bonded to the stainless steel layer by adhesive.

13. The end effector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the electrically insulative layer is bonded to the stainless steel layer via heat treatment.

14. A method of manufacturing a jaw member of an electrosurgical end effector assembly, the steps comprising:

providing a support base;

bonding an electrically insulative layer to an underside of a stainless steel tissue sealing surface;

coupling an electrical lead to the tissue sealing surface, the electrical lead adapted to connect the tissue sealing surface to an energy source;

engaging the underside of the tissue sealing surface to the support base; and

overmolding an insulative material about the support base to secure the tissue sealing surface thereto.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the support base is formed from machined steel.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the insulative material is an insulative plastic material.

17. A method according to claim 14, wherein the bonding step further comprises the step of applying adhesive to the underside of the tissue sealing surface,

18. A method according to claim 14, wherein the electrically insulative layer is formed from polyimide.