US 12,256,978 B2
Electrically insulative electrode spacers, and related devices, systems, and methods
Dennis H. Vaders, West Haven, CT (US); and Stuart Taylor, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC., Sunnyvale, CA (US)
Filed by INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC., Sunnyvale, CA (US)
Filed on Jan. 11, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/572,706.
Application 17/572,706 is a division of application No. 15/800,252, filed on Nov. 1, 2017, granted, now 11,241,274.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/417,567, filed on Nov. 4, 2016.
Prior Publication US 2022/0125501 A1, Apr. 28, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 18/14 (2006.01); B29C 65/62 (2006.01); B29C 70/76 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01); A61B 17/29 (2006.01); A61B 18/00 (2006.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.01); B29L 31/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 18/1445 (2013.01) [B29C 65/62 (2013.01); B29C 70/76 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00526 (2013.01); A61B 2017/2926 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00083 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00136 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00577 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00595 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00601 (2013.01); A61B 2018/00619 (2013.01); A61B 2018/0063 (2013.01); A61B 2018/1455 (2013.01); A61B 2018/146 (2013.01); A61B 34/30 (2016.02); B29L 2031/7546 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for making an electrode assembly, comprising:
overlaying an electrode on an electrode support, the electrode comprising a plurality of openings extending at least partially through a thickness of the electrode;
supporting the electrode support with a jaw body;
stitching a filament made of electrically insulative material comprising a first inset segment and exposed segment into a first opening of the plurality of openings such that the first inset segment is positioned in the first opening and at least a portion of the exposed segment is positioned to overlie an exposed working surface of the electrode, wherein the filament is a thread; and
affixing at least an end portion of the first inset segment of the filament to the electrode, electrode support, and/or the jaw body.