Metallized components and surgical instruments
An apparatus and related methods are described. The apparatus is described that includes a structural metal element including a metallic foam layer. The apparatus also includes a second metal element and a nonmetallic spacer. The nonmetallic spacer arranged between the structural metal element and the second metal element, the metallic foam layer joined to the nonmetallic spacer.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a structural metal element including a metallic foam layer;
a second metal element; and
a nonmetallic spacer arranged between the structural metal element and the second metal element, the metallic foam layer joined to the nonmetallic spacer.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the metallic foam layer is formed integral with the structural metal element.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the metallic foam layer is a separate layer from the structural metal element and bonded to the structural metal element.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 is a medical instrument.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 ,
wherein the medical instrument is a tissue sealing medical instrument,
wherein the structural metal element, the second metal element, and the nonmetallic spacer form a jaw element of the tissue sealing medical instrument.
6. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising:
a second nonmetallic spacer on an external surface of the second metal element;
a second metallic foam layer on the second nonmetallic spacer; and
a joint formed between the second metal element and the second nonmetallic spacer using the second metallic foam layer.
7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the second nonmetallic spacer is one of a group consisting of:
a polymeric component;
a ceramic component;
a ceramic-polymer composite component;
a glass component; and
an undoped silicon component; and
an alumina-filled epoxy component.
8. The apparatus of claim 6 ,
wherein the medical instrument is a tissue sealing medical instrument,
wherein the second metal element is a sealplate, and
wherein the second nonmetallic spacer is a nonmetallic sealplate spacer is on an external surface of the sealplate.
9. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the second metallic foam layer is formed on the second nonmetallic spacer by at least one of:
glue,
injection molding,
hot glue type attach,
hot pressing,
pressing,
scrubbing, and
ultrasonic welding.
10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the second metallic foam layer includes a honey-comb structure.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the metallic foam layer includes a honey-comb structure.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the metallic foam layer is joined to the nonmetallic spacer by at least one of:
glue,
injection molding,
hot glue type attach,
hot pressing,
pressing,
scrubbing, and
ultrasonic welding.