Patent ID: 7951149

Claim:
An electrode assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument, the electrode assembly comprising: a pair of opposing first and second jaw members being movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; each jaw member including an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface, each of the tissue contacting surfaces adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; at least one of the tissue contacting surfaces of one of the jaw members including an energy conductive, ablative material disposed thereon, the energy conductive, ablative material configured to at least partially deplete during electrosurgical activation to reduce tissue adhesion; and a sensor adapted to monitor a depletion rate of the energy conductive, ablative material and configured to relay information relating to the depletion rate to the source of electrosurgical energy.