Insulated Sealing Plate

Abstract

An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument is provided. The end effector assembly has a pair of opposing jaw members. Each of the jaw members has a support base, an electrical jaw lead, and a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead. The sealing plate has a stainless steel layer and an electrically insulative layer.

1 . An end effector assembly including a pair of opposing jaw members, each of the jaw members comprising:
 a support base;   an electrical jaw lead; and   a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead, the sealing plate having a stainless steel layer and an electrically insulative layer bonded to an underside of the sealing plate.   
     
     
         2 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulative layer is formed from polyimide. 
     
     
         3 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulative layer is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate and polyethylene. 
     
     
         4 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical jaw lead is ultrasonically welded to the stainless steel layer of the sealing plate. 
     
     
         5 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulative layer is bonded to the stainless steel layer by adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrically insulative layer is bonded to the stainless steel layer via heat treatment. 
     
     
         7 . An electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue, comprising:
 a housing having at least one shaft extending therefrom;   a handle assembly operably coupled to the housing and including at least one movable handle;   a rotating assembly operably coupled to the housing and configured to rotate the at least one shaft; and   an end effector assembly including a pair of opposing jaw members, each of the jaw members comprising:
 a support base; 
 an electrical jaw lead; and 
 a sealing plate coupled to the electrical jaw lead, the sealing plate having a stainless steel layer and an electrically insulative layer bonded to an underside of the sealing plate. 
   
     
     
         8 . The electrosurgical instrument according to  claim 7 , wherein the pair of opposing jaw members each include a knife channel defined longitudinally therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The electrosurgical instrument according to  claim 7 , wherein the electrical jaw lead is coupled to the sealing plate with an ultrasonic weld. 
     
     
         10 . The electrosurgical instrument according to  claim 7 , wherein the electrical jaw lead is ultrasonically welded to the stainless steel layer of the sealing plate. 
     
     
         11 . The electrosurgical instrument according to  claim 7 , wherein the electrically insulative layer is bonded to the stainless steel layer. 
     
     
         12 . The electrosurgical instrument according to  claim 7 , wherein the electrically insulative layer is bonded to the stainless steel layer by adhesive. 
     
     
         13 . The end effector assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein the electrically insulative layer is bonded to the stainless steel layer via heat treatment. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a jaw member of an electrosurgical end effector assembly, the steps comprising:
 providing a support base;   bonding an electrically insulative layer to an underside of a stainless steel tissue sealing surface;   coupling an electrical lead to the tissue sealing surface, the electrical lead adapted to connect the tissue sealing surface to an energy source;   engaging the underside of the tissue sealing surface to the support base; and   overmolding an insulative material about the support base to secure the tissue sealing surface thereto.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the support base is formed from machined steel. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the insulative material is an insulative plastic material. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the bonding step further comprises the step of applying adhesive to the underside of the tissue sealing surface, 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the electrically insulative layer is formed from polyimide.