Patent ID: 7708735
Filing Date: 2010-05-04
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. An electrode sealing assembly designed for use with an electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue, comprising: first and second jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one second position for grasping tissue therebetween, the jaw members including: electrically conductive sealing plates disposed in opposing relation to one another, at least one jaw member including: a thermoelectric cooling plate having a first surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the sealing plate, said thermoelectric cooling plate including first and second electrical connections disposed on opposite sides of the thermoelectric cooling plate, said first connection being configured to selectively transmit a first electrical potential and said second connection being configured to selectively transmit a second electrical potential such that heat generated by the sealing plates is transferred away from the tissue via the thermoelectric cooling plate, wherein the at least one jaw member further includes a heat sink disposed in direct contact with a second surface of the thermoelectric cooling plate, and wherein the heat sink is made from a thermally conductive, electrically insulative cool polymer.