Method of coating slip rings
A method of coating a slip ring for use with a surgical instrument is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a slip ring including a plurality of conductive elements, and depositing a material less conductive than the conductive elements onto the conductive elements of the slip ring.
1. A method of coating a slip ring for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
providing a slip ring including a plurality of conductive elements; and
depositing a compressible material onto the conductive elements of the slip ring, the compressible material comprising a first conductivity in an uncompressed configuration and a second conductivity in a compressed configuration;
wherein the second conductivity is greater than the first conductivity and is less conductive than the conductive elements.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the depositing step comprises sputtering.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the depositing step comprises vapor deposition.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises a compressive carbon coating.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises polymer matrices with conductive fillers dispersed within the polymer matrices.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the material comprises an electroactive polymer, a conductive polymer composite, or a combination thereof.
7. A method of preparing a slip ring for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
providing a non-conductive base;
fixing a plurality of concentric spaced electrical contacts on a first side of the non-conductive base;
forming interconnecting electrical paths on a second side of the non-conductive base; and
coating the electrical contacts with a compressible material comprising a first conductivity in an uncompressed configuration and a second conductivity in a compressed configuration;
wherein the second conductivity is greater than the first conductivity and is less conductive than the electrical contacts.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the coating step comprises sputtering.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the coating step comprises vapor deposition.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the material comprises a compressive carbon coating.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the material comprises polymer matrices with conductive fillers dispersed within the polymer matrices.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the material comprises an electroactive polymer, conductive polymer composite, or a combination thereof.
13. A method of preparing a slip ring for use with a surgical instrument, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
providing a base;
providing a plurality of concentric conductors comprised of a carbon-filled polymer;
fixing the plurality of concentric conductors on a side of the base; and
depositing a compressible material on the concentric conductors, the compressible material comprising a first conductivity in an uncompressed configuration and a second conductivity in a compressed configuration;
wherein the second conductivity is greater than the first conductivity and is less conductive than the concentric conductors.