Ultrasonic surgical blades
An ultrasonic surgical blade includes a body having a proximal end, a distal end, and an outer surface. The distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the proximal end. At least a portion of the outer surface of the body comprises a lubricious coating adhered thereto. The lubricious coating has a coefficient of friction that is less than the coefficient of friction of the outer surface of the body.
1. A method of coating an ultrasonic blade, the method comprising:
obtaining the ultrasonic blade comprising a proximal end configured to receive ultrasonic vibrations, wherein the ultrasonic blade further comprises:
an outer surface comprising a tissue treatment region; and
a first coating applied to the tissue treatment region;
applying a surface treatment to at least a portion of the tissue treatment region; and
applying a second coating to at least a portion of the tissue treatment region, wherein the second coating comprises a thickness greater than three microns.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surface treatment comprises a roughening treatment to enhance adhesion of the second coating.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the second coating comprises a lubricious polymeric coating.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
sterilizing the ultrasonic blade; and
storing the sterilized ultrasonic blade in a sterile container.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second coating comprises a thickness greater than 0.0001 inches and less than 0.010 inches.