Method for manufacturing an end effector assembly

• US 8,197,633 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2011
• Issued: 06/12/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Guerra, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Katarzyna Wryozebski
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, DANIEL H.
• Application Number:
  US13/048,679
• Publication Number:
  US 20110162796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 156/314
• US Class Current: 156/314
• 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 2017/2945 Curved jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00083 low, i.e. electrically insulating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0063 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1432 curved
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/72 Encapsulating inserts having non-encapsulated projections, e.g. extremities or terminal portions of electrical components B29C70/742 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/84 by moulding material on preformed parts to be joined joining plastic parts by moulding B29C65/70

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a jaw member of an end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is disclosed that includes the steps of providing an electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and a jaw support; covering one side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate with an electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating; placing and securing the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and the jaw support into a jaw mold; and introducing a liquid substance into the jaw mold and allowing the liquid substance to cure around the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and the jaw support. Alternatively, the method includes the steps of: providing an electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and a jaw support; covering one side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate with an electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating; and securing the side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate onto the jaw support with an adhesive.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a jaw member of an end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an electrically conductive tissue engaging plate, said electrically conductive tissue engaging plate having vertically-extending edges extending about a periphery and along a length thereof of said electrically conductive plate, and a jaw support;

covering one side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and said vertically-extending edges with an electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating; and

securing the electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating covering the one side and said vertically-extending edges of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate onto the jaw support with an adhesive.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of covering includes covering the one side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and said vertically-extending edges with an electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating with one of flame sprayed ceramic, vapor deposition polymer, an oxide layer, and an anodized coating.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of securing includes securing the electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating covering the one side and said vertically-extending edges of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate onto the jaw support with an adhesive that includes polyurethane.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of covering includes covering one side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and said vertically-extending edges with an electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating of uniform thickness across the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of covering includes covering one side of the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and said vertically-extending edges with an electrically insulative, thermally non-degrading coating that includes a thickness that provides a gap-set between the electrically conductive tissue engaging plate and the jaw support during the securing step.