Patent ID: 8394095

Claim:
An 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, the jaw members movable about a pivot 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; at least one of the shaft members and at least one of the jaw members forming at least one mechanically interfacing surface therebetween; at least one of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing plate adapted to communicate electrosurgical energy to tissue held therebetween; and a flexible insulating boot disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of at least one jaw member, an interior portion of the insulating boot having at least one mechanically interfacing surface, wherein the at least one mechanically interfacing surface of the interior portion of the insulating boot includes a grove-like interlocking interface that engages the at least one mechanically interfacing surface formed between at least one of the shaft members and one of the jaw members.