Patent ID: 8574230

Claim:
A pivot assembly for use with an open electrosurgical forceps for sealing tissue, comprising: a pair of insulative shoulders having a first end defining a cap and a second end operably coupled to opposing sides of an insulative hub, the insulative hub including a knife slot defined therein, wherein the insulative hub is configured to prevent reciprocation of a cutting mechanism through the knife slot in a first configuration and to permit reciprocation of the cutting mechanism through the knife slot in a second configuration, and wherein the knife slot is configured to: align with a knife channel when the forceps is disposed in a first configuration to permit advancement of the cutting mechanism from a retracted position proximal to the pivot assembly to an advanced position through the pivot assembly and into tissue grasped by the forceps; and misalign with the knife channel when the forceps is disposed in a second configuration to prevent advancement of the cutting mechanism from the retracted position to the advanced position.