Patent ID: 8668691
Filing Date: 2014-03-11
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A surgical instrument, comprising: an end effector including a pair of jaw members having opposing tissue clamping surfaces, at least one of the jaw members configured to move with respect to the other jaw member from an open configuration for receiving tissue and a closed configuration for clamping tissue between the opposing tissue clamping surfaces, at least one jaw member including an elongated cam slot defined therein and extending longitudinally therealong over a substantial length of the tissue clamping surfaces; a plurality of electrically isolated and independently activatable electrodes supported by at least one of the tissue clamping surfaces of one of the jaw members, each of the plurality of electrically insulated electrodes longitudinally spaced along at least one respective tissue clamping surface and configured to selectively deliver electrosurgical energy to tissue; a reciprocating member selectively extendable through the elongated cam slot to a distal end thereof to cam the jaw members to the closed configuration, each of the plurality of electrodes activatable at a longitudinal sealing position as the reciprocating member extends through the elongated cam slot; and an interruption mechanism configured to interrupt advancement of the reciprocating member at sequential longitudinal sealing positions along the elongated cam slot to allow selective application of electrosurgical energy.