Patent ID: 8277447

Claim:
An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising: a housing; a shaft affixed to the housing, the shaft having a longitudinal axis defined therethrough and an end effector assembly engaged at a distal end thereof, the end effector assembly including two jaw members, at least one of which is moveable relative to the other jaw member from a first position in spaced relation to the other jaw member to at least a second position closer to the other jaw member for grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; a drive assembly disposed within the housing for moving the jaw members from the first position to the second position; a knife assembly operably coupled to the housing and configured to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; a movable handle connected to the housing and selectively rotatable about a pivot, wherein a single, continuous actuation of the movable handle is operable to engage the drive assembly to move the jaw members and advance the knife assembly to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members; and wherein the knife assembly is physically prevented from advancing before energy has been conducted between the jaw members.