Patent ID: 9554845
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: A61B

Claim:
1. An end effector assembly of a surgical forceps, comprising: first and second jaw members each defining a width and including an electrically-conductive tissue-contacting plate disposed on an opposed surface thereof, the first jaw member defining a wedge configuration extending the width of the first jaw member and having first and second planar surfaces angled inwardly to an apex, the electrically-conductive tissue-contacting plate of the first jaw member defining a first planar portion disposed about the first planar surface, a second planar portion disposed about the second planar surface, and a cap portion disposed about the apex and interconnecting the first and second planar portions, the second jaw member complementary to the first jaw member and defining a nest configuration extending the width of the second jaw member, the second jaw member having a cut-out defined by third and fourth planar surfaces angled inwardly to a trough, the electrically-conductive tissue-contacting plate of the second jaw member defining a third planar portion disposed about the third planar surface, a fourth planar portion disposed about the fourth planar surface, and an inverted cap portion disposed about the trough and interconnecting the third and fourth planar portions, at least one of the first or second jaw members movable relative to another one of the first or second jaw members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween, wherein, when in the approximated position, the first and third planar portions are disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another and impart a first grasping pressure to the tissue disposed therebetween, the second and fourth planar portions are disposed in parallel orientation relative to one another and impart the first grasping pressure to the tissue disposed therebetween, and the cap is received within the inverted cap and imparts a second grasping pressure to the tissue disposed therebetween, the second grasping pressure being greater than the first grasping pressure, the electrically-conductive tissue-contacting plate of at least one of the first or second jaw members adapted to connect to a source of energy for conducting energy between the first and third planar portions and through the tissue grasped therebetween to create a first tissue seal, the second and fourth planar portions and through the tissue grasped therebetween to create a second tissue seal, and between the cap and inverted cap and through the tissue grasped therebetween to cut the tissue between the first and second tissue seals.