Patent ID: 7445621

Claim:
An endoscopic forceps, comprising: a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof; an actuator operable to move at least one jaw member relative to the other jaw member 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 cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; each jaw member including an outer housing overmolded to encapsulate an electrically conductive tissue engaging surface, each electrically conductive tissue engaging surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces are selectively capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween; and at least one of the electrically conductive tissue engaging surfaces including an extension that extends through the distal end of a respective one of the jaw members, the extension defining a monopolar element that is selectively activatable independent of the electrically conductive surfaces of the jaw members to treat tissue in a monopolar fashion.