Method of manufacturing end effector assembly for sealing tissue

• US 7,877,853 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2008
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: James, Jeremy, Garrison, David M., Unger, Jeffrey R., Shields, Chelsea, Chojin, Edward M., Warzecha, Michael R., Kerr, Duane E., Hixson, David W., Sharp, Robert M., Peterson, Darion
• Primary Examiner(s): Arbes; C. J
• Application Number:
  US12/234,128
• Publication Number:
  US 20090082769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 295/921, 298/25, 298/74, 298/76, 606/49, 606/50, 606/51
• US Class Current: 29/592.1
• 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 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/146 Scissors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49204 Contact or terminal manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts

Abstract

A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue includes the initial step of providing first and second electrically conductive sealing plates. The method also includes the steps of: encasing at least one of the electrically conductive sealing plates in a substantially moldable insulative material; applying a load to the electrically conductive sealing plates; allowing the insulative material to deform to create a gap between the sealing plates between about 0.001 inches to about 0.010 inches; and allowing the insulative material to cure.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue, comprising the steps of:

providing first and second electrically conductive scaling plates;

encasing at least one of the electrically conductive sealing plates in a substantially moldable insulative material;

applying a load to the electrically conductive sealing plates;

allowing the insulative material to deform to create a gap between the sealing plates between about 0.001 inches to about 0.010 inches; and

allowing the insulative material to cure.

2. A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue according to claim 1 wherein the moldable insulative material includes a material that changes in at least one of density and volume upon application of at least one of heat, chemicals, energy or combinations thereof.

3. A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue, comprising the steps of:

providing first and second electrically conductive sealing plates;

encasing at least one of the electrically conductive sealing plates in a insulative material;

applying a load to the electrically conductive sealing plates;

heating the insulative material via a heat source;

allowing the insulative material to deform to create a gap between the sealing plates between about 0.001 inches to about 0.010 inches; and

allowing the insulative material to cure.

4. A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue according to claim 3 wherein the heat source is a solvent.