Patent ID: 7553312

Claim:
A method of sealing tissue, comprising: providing an electrosurgical energy source connected to a surgical instrument used for open surgical procedures, said surgical instrument including a pair of jaw members, the pair of jaw members including a first jaw member and a second jaw member; closing the jaw members around tissue so as to provide a gap between the jaw members in the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches and a closure pressure of in the range of about 7 kg/cm 2 to about 13 kg/cm 2 ; and applying electrosurgical energy to the jaw members so that energy passes between the jaw members and through tissue to effect a tissue seal, wherein electrosurgical energy is applied to at least one of the first jaw member and the second jaw member via a lead having a terminal end which interfaces with a distal connector, and wherein the distal connector supports a running electrical contact.