Patent ID: 7131970

Claim:
An open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising: a pair of first and second shaft members each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, said jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; each of said jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; at least one of said jaw members including a cutting slot defined along a length thereof, said cutting slot being dimensioned to reciprocate a cutting instrument therealong; an actuator for selectively advancing the cutting instrument from a first position wherein said cutting instrument is disposed proximal to tissue held between said jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein said cutting instrument is disposed distal to tissue held between said jaw members, said actuator including a trigger assembly which cooperates with a pulley and cable system to advance said cutting instrument from the first to second positions through tissue held therebetween; and each of said shafts including a handle and at least one of said handle defines a track therethrough for reciprocating a plastic cable of said pulley and cable system, said plastic cable being mechanically engaged with said cutting instrument such that movement of said plastic cable imparts movement of said cutting instrument between the first and subsequent positions.