Patent ID: 8394094

Claim:
An end effector assembly for an electrosurgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising: a pair of opposing first and second jaw members, at least one of the jaw members being movable relative to the other between a first open position in which the jaw members are disposed in a spaced relation relative to one another, and a second closed position in which the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, wherein: the first jaw member comprising first and second sealing members extending along a length of that jaw member, the first and second sealing members being separated by an insulating member therebetween, and being provided with an electrically-conductive cutting electrode supported on the insulating member, the second jaw member comprising third and fourth sealing members extending along that jaw member, the third and fourth sealing members being separated by a recess therebetween, an electrically-insulating anvil being located in the recess opposite the cutting electrode, the electrically-insulating anvil being located on a support member attached to one or both of the third and fourth sealing members, the anvil and the support member being such that the anvil is spring mounted with respect to the third and fourth sealing members such that the anvil can move within the recess by greater than 1 mm when tissue is grasped between the jaw members, the recess passes completely through the third and fourth sealing members, and one or both of the support member and the anvil can protrude out of the recess away from the cutting electrode when the tissue is grasped between the jaw members.