ELECTROSURGICAL END EFFECTORS WITH THERMALLY INSULATIVE AND THERMALLY CONDUCTIVE PORTIONS
An electrosurgical instrument comprising a jaw configured to define an electrode is disclosed. The jaw comprises a first electrically conductive portion, a second electrically conductive portion, and an electrically insulative layer. The first electrically conductive portion is configured to resist heat transfer therethrough. The second electrically conductive portion is integral with and extending at least partially around the first electrically conductive portion. The second electrically conductive portion is configured to define a heat sink. The electrode is defined by selective application of the electrically insulative layer to an outer surface of the second electrically conductive portion.
1 . An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
a first jaw configured to define a first electrode, wherein the first jaw comprises:
a first electrically conductive skeleton, comprising:
a first thermally insulative core; and
a first thermally conductive outer layer integral with and extending at least partially around the first thermally insulative core; and
a first electrically insulative layer, wherein the first electrode is defined by selective application of the first electrically insulative layer to an outer surface of the first thermally conductive outer layer; and
a second jaw configured to define a second electrode, wherein the second jaw comprises:
a second electrically conductive skeleton, comprising:
a second thermally insulative core; and
a second thermally conductive outer layer integral with and extending at least partially around the second thermally insulative core; and
a second electrically insulative layer, wherein the second electrode is defined by selective application of the second electrically insulative layer to an outer surface of the second thermally conductive outer layer.
2 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is configured to transmit an RF energy to the second electrode through tissue positioned therebetween in a bipolar energy mode of operation.
3 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first thermally insulative core comprises air pockets.
4 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first thermally insulative core comprises a lattice structure.
5 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the second jaw comprises a third electrode, and wherein the third electrode is defined by selective application of the second electrically insulative layer to the outer surface of the second thermally conductive outer layer.
6 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 5 , wherein the third electrode is configured to deliver an RF energy to tissue in contact with the third electrode in a monopolar energy mode of operation.
7 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first electrically insulative layer and the second electrically insulative layer comprises a diamond-like material.
8 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first jaw comprises a tissue-contacting surface, and wherein the first thermally insulative core comprises a lattice structure including walls erected in a direction that transects the tissue-contacting surface.
9 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 8 , wherein the direction is perpendicular to the tissue-contacting surface.
10 . An electrosurgical instrument, comprising a jaw configured to define an electrode, wherein the jaw comprises:
a first electrically conductive portion configured to resist heat transfer therethrough;
a second electrically conductive portion integral with and extending at least partially around the first electrically conductive portion, wherein the second electrically conductive portion is configured to define a heat sink; and
an electrically insulative layer, wherein the electrode is defined by selective application of the electrically insulative layer to an outer surface of the second electrically conductive portion.
11 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the electrode is configured to transmit an RF energy to tissue positioned against the electrode.
12 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the first electrically conductive portion comprises air pockets.
13 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the first electrically conductive portion comprises a lattice structure.
14 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the electrically insulative layer comprises a diamond-like material.
15 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the jaw comprises a tissue-contacting surface, and wherein the first electrically conductive portion comprises a lattice structure including walls erected in a direction that transects the tissue-contacting surface.
16 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 15 , wherein the direction is perpendicular to the tissue-contacting surface.
17 . An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
a jaw configured to define an electrode, wherein the jaw comprises:
an electrically conductive skeleton, comprising:
a thermally insulative core; and
a thermally conductive outer layer integral with and extending at least partially around the thermally insulative core; and
an electrically insulative layer, wherein the electrode is defined by selective application of the electrically insulative layer to an outer surface of the thermally conductive outer layer.
18 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 17 , wherein the thermally insulative core comprises a lattice structure.
19 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 18 , wherein the jaw comprises a tissue-contacting surface, and wherein the lattice structure includes walls erected in a direction that transects the tissue-contacting surface.
20 . The electrosurgical instrument of claim 19 , wherein the direction is perpendicular to the tissue-contacting surface.