Patent ID: 7090673

Claim:
An electrosurgical instrument for performing at least one of sealing and dividing tissue, comprising: a housing having a shaft attached thereto, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis; a first jaw member movable relative to a second jaw member, the first jaw member attached to the shaft and being relatively movable from a first open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; a drive rod assembly which imparts movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions; a rotating assembly attached to the housing which selectively rotates the jaw members about the longitudinal axis; a knife assembly attached to the housing which selectively separates tissue grasped between the jaw members, said knife assembly adapted to connect to an electrical energy source; a handle assembly attached to the housing which selectively actuates the drive rod assembly; first and second electrical leads which connect the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween; and a handswitch attached to the housing which allows a user to selectively and independently activate both the jaw members and the knife assembly.