Patent ID: 8551091

Claim:
An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and/or cutting vessels and/or tissue, the end effector assembly comprising: a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which is movable relative to the other 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 a pair of spaced apart, electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue grasped therebetween to effect a seal; an insulator disposed between each pair of electrically conductive sealing surfaces; the first jaw member including an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator of the first jaw member, the electrically conductive cutting element disposed in general vertical registration to the insulator on the second jaw member; at least one channel defined within each of the insulators, the at least one channel configured to provide fluid adjacent to tissue held between the jaw members, wherein the at least one channel includes a plurality of channel portions configured to branch around the electrically conductive cutting element; and wherein the at least one channel further includes at least one port configured to provide fluid to the at least one channel.