Patent ID: 7101372

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 operatively disposed within the housing which imparts movement of the jaw members between the first and second positions; a rotating assembly attached to the housing which rotates the jaw members about the longitudinal axis; a knife assembly attached to the housing which separates tissue grasped between the jaw members; a handle assembly attached to the housing which actuates the drive rod assembly, the handle assembly including a four-bar mechanical linkage which includes a handle and a cam-like piston which cooperate to impart a uniform closure pressure against tissue grasped between the jaw members; 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 at least one of the first and second electrical leads including a slack loop disposed in the rotating assembly which permits rotation of the jaw members about the longitudinal axis.