Vessel sealing instrument with reduced thermal spread and method of manufacture therefor

摘要

An electrosurgical vessel sealing instrument having a first and a second opposing jaw member at a distal end thereof, wherein each jaw member includes a jaw housing, a seal plate having a tissue contacting surface and a side wall, and an insulating region disposed on the side wall of the seal plate. The instrument includes the ability to move the jaw members relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue. The insulating region enables precision overmolding of the jaw housing to the seal plate, while advantageously reducing thermal spread and edge cutting during vessel sealing procedures.

主权项

1. An electrosurgical instrument, comprising:
a housing having at least one elongated shaft extending therefrom; a first jaw member and a second opposing jaw member at a distal end of the elongated shaft, at least one of the jaw members movable from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members including:
a seal plate having a tissue contacting surface;a side wall extending from a peripheral edge of the tissue contacting surface, the side wall including an outer surface and a bottom edge;a recess defined in the outer surface of the side wall;an insulating region disposed within at least a part of the recess, wherein an outer surface of the insulating region is flush with the outer surface of the side wall; anda jaw housing fixed to the bottom edge of the side wall and at least a portion of the insulating region.