Patent ID: 8241284

Claim:
An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising: an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members including a length and a periphery and 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 each including respective flat seal surfaces extending along a respective length thereof and 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; a plurality of non-conductive stop members disposed along the length of at least one of the seal surfaces of at least one of the jaw members such that the plurality of non-conductive stop members are disposed along the same plane on the seal surface with respect to one another, the non-conductive stop members configured to maintain a uniform distance between the jaw members along the length thereof; and a knife disposed in operative communication with at least one of the jaw members and translatable to sever tissue disposed between jaw members.