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

Claim 15:
16. An apparatus comprising:
(a) a body; and
(b) an end effector located distally relative to the body, wherein the end effector is configured to grasp tissue and transmit RF energy to the grasped tissue, wherein the end effector comprises:
(i) a first jaw member comprising an electrode surface and at least one tooth electrically insulated from the electrode surface, the at least one tooth extending past the electrode surface, and
(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, wherein the second jaw member comprises a longitudinally extending double tapered electrode surface comprising a longitudinally extending proximal taper and a longitudinally extending distal taper connected at a juncture, wherein the longitudinally extending distal taper continuously changes thickness longitudinally between a distal end of the second jaw and the juncture,
wherein the juncture is configured to be spaced further from the first jaw member compared to the proximal taper and the distal taper while the second jaw is in the partially closed position,
wherein, while in the closed position, the proximal taper and the distal taper are configured to deform to both define a gap with the first jaw member and move the juncture closer toward the first jaw member, wherein contact between the at least one tooth and the longitudinally extending distal taper is configured to drive deformation of the longitudinally extending proximal taper and the longitudinally extending distal taper.