SURGICAL FORCEPS AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THEREOF
A method of manufacturing a forceps includes providing first and second jaw members and depositing an electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate atop each jaw member via vapor deposition. The jaw members are then coupled to one another to permit movement of one (or both) of the jaw members relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue between the tissue sealing plates thereof.
1 - 20 . (canceled)
21 . A method of manufacturing a tissue contacting member of a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
forming an electrically-conductive member on a surface of a substrate via vapor deposition; and
engaging the substrate to a frame.
22 . The method according to claim 21 , further comprising forming the substrate via injection molding.
23 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein the vapor deposition includes physical vapor deposition.
24 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein the vapor deposition includes chemical vapor deposition.
25 . The method according to claim 21 , further comprising molding a wire to the substrate prior to forming the electrically-conductive member on the surface of the substrate.
26 . The method according to claim 25 , wherein the electrically-conductive member is formed on the surface of the substrate such that the electrically-conductive member is in electrical communication with the wire.
27 . The method according to claim 21 , wherein engaging the substrate to the frame includes snap-fitting the substrate to the frame.
28 . A method of manufacturing a surgical instrument, comprising:
depositing an electrically-conductive member on a surface of a first jaw member via vapor deposition; and
coupling the first jaw member to a second jaw member to permit movement of at least one of the jaw members relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue between the jaw members.
29 . The method according to claim 28 , wherein the vapor deposition includes physical vapor deposition.
30 . The method according to claim 28 , wherein the vapor deposition includes chemical vapor deposition.
31 . The method according to claim 28 , wherein the electrically-conductive member is deposited on a surface of a substrate of the first jaw member.
32 . The method according to claim 31 , further comprising forming the substrate of the first jaw member via injection molding.
33 . The method according to claim 31 , further comprising engaging the substrate within a frame of the first jaw member.
34 . The method according to claim 33 , wherein engaging the substrate within the frame of the first jaw member includes snap-fitting the substrate within the frame.
35 . The method according to claim 33 , wherein engaging the substrate within the frame of the first jaw member includes friction-fitting the substrate within the frame.
36 . The method according to claim 33 , further comprising pivotably coupling a first proximal flange of the first jaw member to a second proximal flange of the second jaw member to permit movement of at least one of the jaw members relative to the other between the spaced-apart position and the approximated position.
37 . The method according to claim 28 , further comprising molding a wire within the first jaw member such that the wire is disposed in electrical communication with the electrically-conductive member for supplying energy to the electrically-conductive member.
38 . A method of manufacturing a tissue contacting member of a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
injection molding a substrate; and
vapor depositing an electrically-conductive member on a surface of the substrate.
39 . The method according to claim 38 , further comprising engaging the substrate to a frame.
40 . The method according to claim 38 , further comprising coupling a wire to the substrate prior to vapor depositing the electrically-conductive member thereon such that, upon depositing the electrically-conductive member on the surface of the substrate, the wire is electrically coupled to the electrically-conductive member for providing energy to the electrically-conductive member.