Patent ID: 7384421

Claim:
An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising: a housing; a shaft affixed to the housing comprising an end effector assembly comprising two jaw members at a distal end thereof, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis; a drive assembly configured to move at least a portion of the end effector assembly; a handle assembly comprising a movable handle adapted to force a drive flange of the movable handle into mechanical cooperation with the drive assembly to move at least a portion of the end effector assembly; and a slide-activated cutting assembly disposed at least partially within the housing adapted to move a knife rod comprising a knife blade at a distal end thereof to cut tissue along a tissue seal, the slide-activated cutting assembly further including: a slide trigger configured to be pushed distally to move the knife rod distally; a knife slide adapted to facilitate translation of the knife rod, a proximal portion of the knife slide being in mechanical engagement with the slide trigger and a distal portion of the knife slide being in mechanical engagement with the knife rod; a collar clamp operatively connected to the knife slide adapted to maintain alignment of the knife slide during translation of the knife rod; and wherein a source of electrosurgical energy is adapted to connect to each jaw member such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal.