Patent ID: 7896878

Claim:
A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery, comprising: first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about a pivot from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each jaw member being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy having first and second electrical potentials respectively transmitted via first and second leads; a first conductive path for connecting the first electrical potential to one of the jaw members, and a second conductive path for connecting the second electrical potential to the other jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a tissue seal; an electro-mechanical interface having respective electrically conductive portions operatively coupled to the first and second shafts and centrally disposed thereon, each of the respective electrically conductive portions in electrical communication with a respective one of the first and second conductive paths, the electrically conductive portions configured to provide electrical continuity between the jaw members when the jaw members are moved from the first position to the second position such that electrosurgical energy flows through the electro-mechanical interface and to each of the jaw members; a ratchet disposed on the first shaft and a complementary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the second shaft; and a distal connector disposed between the jaw members for electrically isolating the first and second electrical potentials.