Electrically conductive non-stick coating

Claim 2

An electrically conductive non-stick coating for at least one working surface of an electrically operated tool, wherein adherently interconnected masses of conductive and non-stick materials are adherently 5 deposited on a substrate, at least a portion of the conductive material being exposed for conduction, and a portion of the non-stick material being exposed at locations interspersed between the conductive portions of the conductive material.

Claim 3

A coating according to claim 1, wherein the conductive material is adhered to the substrate as a first coating forming a textured mass having a selected degree of surface roughness over its exposed surface, ' 10 and the non-stick material forms a second layer adhering on the first layer at least partially filling the surface roughness of the first layer but leaving portions thereof exposed, and wherein the first and second layers form interconnected islands of non-stick and conductive materials along the working surface.

Claim 4

A coating according to claim 2, wherein the first, conductive layer has interstices forming locations for the adhesion of the non-stick material therein. 15

Claim 5

A coating according to claim 3, wherein the surface texture of the first coating is 1 to 5 microns.

Claim 6

A coating according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first, conductive layer consists of a corrosive-resistant metal, wholly or at least partly of silver, platinum, rhodium, palladium, gold, or molybdenum, and the second, non-stick layer consists wholly or partly of a fluorocarbon, silicone, or fluorosilicate. 20

Claim 7

A coating according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the first, conductive layer and the second, non-stick layer are exposed in approximate ratios in the range from 20:80 to 80:20.

Claim 8

A coating according to claim 6, wherein the ratio ranges from 40:60 to 60:40.

Claim 9

A coating according to any preceding claim, which is applied near the cutting edge of an electro-surgical cutting instrument or scalpel having a hemostatic and cauterizing function. 25

Claim 10

An electrically conductive non-stick coating substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the Examples.

Claim 11

An electrically conductive non-stick coating substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the Examples.

Claim 14

A method according to claim 11, wherein the conductive material is applied as a colloidal suspension and is fired at a temperature from 500 to 600°C. 35

Claim 15

A method according to claim 12, wherein the conductive material is fired at550°Cfor 10 minutes.

Claim 16

A method according to claim 11, wherein the non-stick material is applied in liquid form, is partially removed by wiping, and then is fired to an adherence temperature.

Claim 17

A method according to claim 14, wherein the non-stick material is fired at400°Cfor 5-10 minutes.

Claim 20

A method according to claim 17, wherein the fluorocarbon solution is applied in a ratio of 1:4.

Claim 23

A method according to claim 20, wherein portions of the second, non-stick layer are removed by a doctor blade.