Patent ID: 7367976

Claim:
An endoscopic forceps, comprising: a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof; an actuator for moving jaw members relative to one another 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; a source of electrosurgical energy connected to each jaw member such that the jaw members are selectively capable of operating in a bipolar mode which enables the jaw members to conduct bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween to treat tissue; and a monopolar element housed within at least the first jaw member and selectively movable from a first position within the first jaw member to a second position distal to the first jaw member, the monopolar element being connected to the source of electrosurgical energy and being selectively activateable independent of the jaw members.