Patent ID: 7377920
Filing Date: 2008-05-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue, comprising: a handle being selectively movable to actuate a pair of first and second opposable jaw members attached to a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable from a first position for approximating tissue to at least one subsequent position for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface and adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the scaling surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween and each jaw member including: a cam slot defined therein having a cul de sac at a distal end thereof; a yoke being dimensioned to operatively engage each of the jaw members to affect movement thereof, said yoke including first and second pins extending from the sides thereof which operatively engage a respective cam slot in each of the jaw members, said pins being movable within said cam slots upon actuation of said handle and said pins being dimensioned to enter each cul de sac when said jaw members are disposed at an angle of about 3 degrees relative to one another.