Patent ID: 7473253

Claim:
An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue, comprising: an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members including a length and a periphery and being movable relative to one another 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; the jaw members being adaptable to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal, the jaw members being independently movable with respect to the elongated shaft; at least one non-conductive stop member disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween and wherein the distance between clamped jaw members is substantially uniform along the length of the jaw members; and a knife selectively movable from a first position relative to the elongated shaft to a second position more distal to the elongated shaft to sever tissue along the tissue seal.