Patent ID: 8357159

Claim:
An open electrosurgical forceps, 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 assembly from an open position in spaced relation relative to one another to a closed position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; at least one of the jaw members including a knife channel defined along a length thereof; the pivot assembly including a knife slot defined therein, the pivot assembly configured to prevent reciprocation of a cutting mechanism when the jaw members are disposed in the open position and to permit reciprocation of the cutting mechanism therethrough when the jaw members are disposed in the closed position; a pair of shoulders having a first end defining a cap and a second end operably coupled to opposing sides of a hub, wherein one of the jaw members is configured to rotate about one of the shoulders; and an actuator operatively connected to one of the shaft members for selectively advancing the cutting mechanism from a first position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed proximal to tissue grasped between the jaw members to at least one subsequent position wherein the cutting mechanism is disposed through the pivot assembly and into tissue grasped between the jaw members.