Patent ID: 8162940

Claim:
An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting tissue, the end effector assembly comprising: a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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; each jaw member including a pair of spaced apart, electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal; a partially conductive material disposed within each pair of electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces; the first jaw member including an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the partially conductive material of the first jaw member, the electrically conductive cutting element disposed in general vertical registration to the partially conductive material on the second jaw member; wherein the cutting element is configured to create a gap between the pairs of electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces when the jaw members are in the second position; the cutting element being inactive during a the sealing process and the pair of spaced apart, electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces on the first jaw member being energized to a different potential from the corresponding pair of spaced apart electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces on the second jaw member such that electrosurgical energy can be transferred through the tissue to effect the tissue seal; and the cutting element being energized to a first potential during a cutting process and at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface on the first jaw member and at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface on the second jaw member being energized to a different potential such that electrosurgical energy can be transferred through the tissue to effect a tissue cut.