High temperature material for use in medical devices
AssigneeEthicon, Inc.
InventorJacqueline A. Anim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A material for use in a medical device includes a blend of a non-melt polymer such as Polyamideimide, a meltable carrier polymer such as Polyetherketoneketone and lubricants/rheology modifiers such that the final polymer material can be extruded, pelletized and used to injection mold components for the medical device. The ratios of the Polyamideimide, Polyetherketoneketone and the lubricants are selected to provide sufficient lubricity and glass transition temperature to the material to make it appropriate for use in high temperature applications and additive manufacturing processes.
Claims20
An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising an end effector, wherein said end effector comprises:
- (a) an ultrasonic blade, wherein said end effector is operable to apply ultrasonic energy at the blade;
- (b) a clamp arm pivotable relative to the blade;
- and
- (c) a clamp pad secured to said clamp arm, wherein said clamp pad is positioned to oppose said blade such that said end effector is operable to compress tissue between said clamp pad and said blade;
- wherein said clamp pad comprises a blend of polybenzimidazole and polyetherketoneketone and having an Inherent Viscosity of greater than 0.6 dL/g.
An apparatus for use in an ultrasonic surgical instrument, the apparatus comprising a material comprises a blend of polybenzimidazole and polyetherketoneketone and having an Inherent Viscosity of greater than 0.6 dL/g, and wherein said material is attached to a clamp arm of said ultrasonic surgical instrument.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.