Patent ID: 7722607

Claim:
An endoscopic forceps, comprising: a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft including a pair of jaw members disposed at a distal end thereof; a drive assembly disposed in the housing operable to move the jaw members relative to one another 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 are closer to one another, for manipulating tissue; a pair of handles operatively connected to the drive assembly, the handles being movable relative to the housing to actuate the drive assembly to move the jaw members; each jaw member adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy for treating tissue; and a knife assembly operatively associated with the housing, the knife assembly being selectively actuatable to advance a knife through tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are disposed in the second position, the knife assembly including at least one safety mechanism to prevent damaging the knife upon selective actuation thereof, the safety mechanism including a mechanical fuse that fractures upon exertion of excessive force to actuate the knife assembly.