Patent ID: 11857247
Assignee: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Field: Medical technology (Instruments)
Classification: CPC A | IPC A

Claim 17:
18. An apparatus comprising:
(a) a body;
(b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body; and
(c) an end effector configured to grasp tissue and transmit RF energy to the grasped tissue, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) a first jaw member,
(ii) a second jaw member, wherein the second jaw member is pivotably coupled to the first jaw member between an open position, a partially closed position, and a closed position, and
(iii) a tissue grasping assembly, comprising
(A) a first tissue grasping feature associated with the first jaw member, wherein the first tissue grasping feature comprises a first electrode surface and at least one electrically insulative member extending from the first electrode surface, and
(B) a second tissue grasping feature associated with the second jaw member, wherein the second tissue grasping feature comprises a compliant electrode surface, wherein the compliant electrode surface is configured to form a longitudinally extending double taper while the second jaw is in the open position and the partially closed position, wherein the compliant electrode surface is configured to deform in response to a closure force provided by the at least one electrically insulative member of the first tissue grasping feature directly engaging a continuously tapering distal portion of the longitudinally extending double taper to thereby define a gap with the first tissue grasping feature while in the closed position.