Insulated Sealing Plate
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.
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.