Patent ID: 8795274

Claim:
A bipolar forceps, comprising: an end effector assembly having: opposing first and second jaw members having proximal and distal ends and selectively moveable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrode having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface adapted to connect to an electrical energy source such that the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting energy to tissue disposed therebetween, wherein the electrode of the first jaw member is hingedly connected to the first jaw member at a distal end of the electrode of the first jaw member by a pivot pin to provide parallel alignment of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces when the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces of the jaw members engage tissue disposed between the jaw members when the first and second jaw members are oblique to one another, wherein the electrode of the first jaw member is connected to the first jaw member via a resilient member at a proximal end of the electrode.