Method of manufacturing electrosurgical seal plates

摘要

A system for the manufacture of an end effector assembly which is configured for use with an electrosurgical instrument configured for performing an electrosurgical procedure is provided. The system includes a photolithography module that is configured to etch one or more pockets on a seal surface of the seal plate. A vacuum module is configured to raise, transfer and lower a spacer from a location remote from the pocket(s) on the seal plate to the pocket on the seal plate(s). An adhesive dispensing module is configured to dispense an adhesive into the pocket on the seal plate. An optical module is configured to monitor a volume of the adhesive dispensed within the pocket and monitor placement of the spacer within the pocket.

主权项

1. A method for manufacturing an electrosurgical seal plate, the method comprising:
forming a seal plate from a sheet of material; etching at least one pocket on the formed seal plate; etching at least one flange on the formed seal plate that extends at least along one side of the seal plate; positioning the formed seal plate on a jaw member; securely retaining the seal plate to the jaw member via the at least one etched retention feature; and overmolding the positioned and formed seal plate to the jaw member.