Patent ID: 8298228

Claim:
An electrode assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another, comprising: a housing having at least one portion that removably engages at least one portion of the electrosurgical instrument, the housing including a bifurcated distal end that forms two prongs that each removably attach to one of the end effectors; and a pair of opposing electrodes each supported on one of the two prongs and each including an electrically conductive sealing surface defining a radius along an outer periphery thereof and a corresponding insulating substrate operably coupled to each sealing surface, each insulating substrate including a mechanical interface configured to removably couple the corresponding sealing surface to a respective opposing end effector such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another, wherein at least one of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces of one of the opposing electrodes is configured in a raised position relative to its corresponding insulating substrate such that the corresponding insulating substrate meets the outer periphery of the electrically conductive sealing surface to form an adjoining edge that tracks along the radius to reduce current concentrations between the opposing electrodes during activation.