Patent ID: 8784417

Claim:
A bipolar forceps, comprising: an end effector assembly including: opposing first and second jaw members configured for selective movement relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; an electrode associated with each of the first and second jaw members, the electrode associated with each jaw member having an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface adapted to connect to an electrical energy source such that the electrically conductive tissue sealing surface is capable of conducting energy to tissue disposed between the first and second jaw members, the electrode associated with the first jaw member being connected to the first jaw member via a pivot disposed on a distal end of the electrode and via a resilient member disposed on a proximal end of the electrode, the pivot including a pivot pin and the electrode associated with the first jaw member being rotatable about the pivot pin, the pivot and the resilient member providing parallel alignment of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces when the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces engage tissue disposed between the jaw members.