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Electrically heated surgical blade and methods of making

  • US 5,308,311 A
  • Filed: 05/01/1992
  • Issued: 05/03/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/01/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A blade for use in a surgical instrument for hemostatically cutting tissue to reduce bleeding, the instrument including a handle having an electrical terminal, the blade comprising:

  • a first region of a laminate material having a cutting edge and two lateral sides, the laminate comprising a core of a high strength hardenable material and a pair of outer layers of a material having a high thermal conductivity, each of the pair of outer layers disposed on opposite sides of the core and in thermal communication therewith;

    a second region comprising a low thermal conductivity metallic material, the second region metallurgically joined to the first region at a longitudinal joint, the longitudinal joint being mechanically finished to provide a smooth surface, the second region having a portion adapted to engage the handle;

    a heating element for heating the first region to a temperature in the range from about 100°

    C. to about 500°

    C., the heating element secured to first region in thermal communication therewith and electrically isolated therefrom; and

    an electrical lead for connecting the heating element to the electrical terminal, the electrical lead disposed on the first and second regions and extending continuously across the longitudinal joint.

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