Patent ID: 7442194

Claim:
An endoscopic forceps, comprising: a housing having a shaft affixed thereto, the shaft including first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof; an actuator operable to move at least one jaw member relative to the other jaw member 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 engaging surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members are selectively capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween; and at least one of the electrically conductive surfaces of a respective one of the jaw members including an insulating material at a distal end thereof that isolates a conductive monopolar element that is selectively activatable independent of the electrically conductive surfaces of the jaw members to treat tissue in a monopolar fashion.