Patent ID: 6682528
Filing Date: 2004-01-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
A bipolar endoscopic instrument for sealing tissue, comprising:a pair of first and second jaw members having opposite electrical potentials and being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to conduct bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween, each jaw member including a tissue sealing surface; a yoke which electrically insulates the jaw members during activation and sealing, the yoke including: at least one detent which moves the jaw members from the first to second positions upon linear reciprocation of the yoke; a pair of shoulder portions which abut the jaw members in the second position and offload pressure on the pin during clamping and sealing of tissue; and at least one stop member attached to at least one of the tissue sealing surfaces of one of the jaw members for controlling the distance between opposing jaw members during sealing.