Patent ID: 9579146
Date: 2017-02-28
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. An end-effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument, comprising: first and second jaw members, each of the first and second jaw members including a seal plate, at least one of the first and second jaw members movable relative to the other jaw member from an open position, wherein the first and the second jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, to a clamping position wherein the first and second jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; a dissector channel defined longitudinally in the second jaw member; and an electrical dissecting member translatable through the dissector channel, the electrical dissecting member in electrical communication with at least one of the seal plates of the first and second jaw members, wherein the dissector channel is configured to raise the electrical dissecting member above a seal surface of the seal plate of the second jaw member when the electrical dissecting member is translated distally, wherein the electrical dissecting member is movable from a partially extended position within the dissector channel where the electrical dissecting member is flush with the seal surface of the seal plate of the second jaw member, to a fully extended position within the dissector channel wherein the electrical dissecting member is elevated relative to the seal surface of the seal plate of the second jaw member, and wherein when the electrical dissecting member is flush with the seal surface of the seal plate of the second jaw member, each of the electrical dissecting member and the seal plate of the second jaw member have the same polarity, and when the electrical dissecting member is elevated relative to the seal surface, each of the electrical dissecting member and the seal plate of the second jaw member have a different polarity.