Patent ID: 7033356
Filing Date: 2006-04-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, sealing and cutting tissue comprising: (a) a handle; (b) a body joined to the handle; (c) a jaw assembly joined to the body and arranged such that manipulation of the handle allows tissue at a surgical site to be clamped between opposed jaws of the jaw assembly, the jaw assembly having length, height and width axes; (d) a first of said opposed jaws having at least a first sealing electrode, the jaw being formed with a recess formed longitudinally along the length axis, said recess having first and second sidewalls, each side wall having at least a portion extending at an oblique angle to the width axis of the jaw assembly (e) the other of said opposed jaws having at least a second sealing electrode, the jaw having a cross-section exhibiting a raised central zone adapted to conform to the recess of the first jaw for pinching and tensioning the tissue when at least one of the jaws is made to close relative to the other jaw; and (f) a cutting electrode supported by one of said opposed jaws.