Jaw assemblies for electrosurgical instruments and methods of manufacturing jaw assemblies
A jaw assembly includes an electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure, a jaw member including a support base, and a non-electrically conductive member including a first portion configured to engage the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure and a second portion configured to engage the support base of the jaw member. The non-electrically conductive member adapted to electrically isolate the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure from the jaw member. The electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure and the non-electrically conductive member cooperatively define a longitudinally-oriented knife channel therethrough.
1. A method of manufacturing a jaw assembly, the method comprising:
providing an electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure;
providing a jaw member including a support base;
providing a non-electrically conductive member including a first portion configured to engage the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure and a second portion configured to engage the support base of the jaw member, the non-electrically conductive member adapted to electrically isolate the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure from the jaw member;
providing a fixture assembly configured to hold the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure in position with respect to the first portion of the non-electrically conductive member and to hold the support base in position with respect to the second portion of the non-electrically conductive member; and
brazing the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure, non-electrically conductive member, and the jaw member together using the fixture assembly, thereby forming a jaw assembly.
2. The method of manufacturing a jaw assembly of claim 1 , wherein the fixture assembly is adapted to releasably, securely hold the jaw member, the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure, and the non-electrically conductive member in position relative to one another during brazing.
3. The method of manufacturing a jaw assembly of claim 1 , wherein the non-electrically conductive member includes a body defining a first lateral side portion and a second lateral side portion.
4. The method of manufacturing a jaw assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first portion of the non-electrically conductive member includes a first surface and a shoulder region extending outwardly beyond the first surface along at least a portion of the first lateral side portion.
5. The method of manufacturing a jaw assembly of claim 4 , further comprising positioning the electrically-conductive tissue-engaging structure in relation to an inner wall of the shoulder region.