Patent ID: 8747404

Claim:
A surgical instrument for supplying energy to tissue, comprising: a handle, comprising: a trigger; and an electrical input; a shaft extending from said handle, wherein said shaft comprises a conductor, and wherein said trigger is selectively actuatable to electrically couple said electrical input and said conductor; and an end effector, comprising: a first jaw member; a second jaw member, wherein at least one of said first jaw member and said second jaw member is movable relative to the other of said first jaw member and said second jaw member to clamp tissue intermediate said first jaw member and said second jaw member; a slot configured to slideably receive a cutting member; an electrode electrically coupled with said conductor, wherein said electrode is configured to generate heat when electrical energy is supplied to said electrode, and wherein said electrode comprises: a first lateral portion; a second lateral portion; and a transverse portion connecting said first lateral portion and said second lateral portion; and a tissue-grasping portion comprising a plurality of energy impediments, wherein said tissue-grasping portion is comprised of an electrically non-conductive material, and wherein said tissue-grasping portion is positioned intermediate said first lateral portion and said second lateral portion, and wherein said energy impediments directly flank said slot.