# US 10,765,469 B2 · Method for producing a branch and surgical instrument comprising a tool having a branch

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- Number: US 10,765,469 B2
- Document ID: US10765469B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/816,656
- Filed: 2015-08-03
- Published: 2016-02-04
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2014-08-04
- Assignees: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
- Applicants: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
- Inventors: Volker Mayer; Achim Brodbeck
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10765469B2

## CPC

- A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod}
- B22F 3/225: {by injection molding}
- B22F 7/08: with one or more parts not made from powder {(B22F7/062 takes precedence)}
- B22F 10/28: Powder bed fusion, e.g. selective laser melting [SLM] or electron beam melting [EBM]
- B22F 10/47: characterised by structural features
- B22F 10/66: by mechanical means
- B23K 26/342: Build-up welding
- B29C 45/14377: {using an additional insert, e.g. a fastening element}
- A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing}
- A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation}
- B22F 2003/247: {Removing material: carving, cleaning, grinding, hobbing, honing, lapping, polishing, milling, shaving, skiving, turning the surface}
- B29K 2705/00: Use of metals, their alloys or their compounds, for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
- B29L 2031/7546: {Surgical equipment}
- B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing
- B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing
- Y02P 10/25: Process efficiency
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- B22F: WORKING METALLIC POWDER; MANUFACTURE OF ARTICLES FROM METALLIC POWDER; MAKING METALLIC POWDER (making alloys by powder metallurgy C22C); APPARATUS OR DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR METALLIC POWDER
- B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
- B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A branch is produced by means of an additive 3D production process for producing a metal part, which comprises at least two parts, namely a support section and a functional section. The metal part is a single-pieced part, in which the support section and the functional section are seamlessly interconnected by means of corresponding connecting webs. After the material is applied, the connecting webs are removed.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for producing a branch for a surgical instrument, the method comprising:
forming a support piece, at least one electrode and at least one connecting web as a one-piece metal part in an additive production process, the support piece being configured to provide structural support for the branch and being interconnected with the at least one electrode via the at least one connecting web, the support piece, the at least one electrode and the at least one connecting web each comprising a first material;
encapsulating the metal part with a second material; and
removing the at least one connecting web.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the one-piece metal part is provided by means of selective laser melting of metal powder.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the encapsulating step comprises leaving at least one surface region of the at least one electrode exposed.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein the support piece and the at least one electrode, in combination with one another, form a gap, wherein at least one holding structure is formed on the at least one electrode, wherein said at least one holding structure does not touch the support piece.