Patent ID: 8647343

Claim:
A forceps, comprising: an end effector assembly including: a pair of jaw members disposed in opposing relation relative to one another, at least one jaw member moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position, a first approximated position, and a second approximated position, an opposing surface of each jaw member defining a complementary stepped portion, the complementary stepped portions of the respective jaw members defined along the jaw members such that a distal end of each jaw member is offset from a proximal end of each jaw member, the jaw members configured to apply a pre-determined pressure to tissue disposed therebetween in each of the first and second approximated positions, wherein a sealing pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the first approximated position and wherein a cutting pressure is applied to tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw members are in the second approximated position such that tissue disposed between the jaw members is cut by the engagement of the complementary stepped portions.