Patent ID: 7877852

Claim:
A method for manufacturing an end effector assembly for sealing tissue, comprising the steps of: providing a pair of first and second jaw members each including an inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface; coating the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface of at least one of the jaw members with an insulative material, the coating having a thickness within the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.010 inches; allowing the insulative material to cure onto the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface; removing a portion of the insulative material from the inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surface to form a series of stop members arranged thereacross; and assembling the pair of first and second jaw members about a pivot such that the two inwardly facing electrically conductive sealing surfaces are substantially opposed to each other in pivotal relation relative to one another.