Patent ID: 7166106

Claim:
Bipolar clamp comprising: two clamp members, that are joined together mechanically by means of an insulating pivot joint about which they can rotate with respect to one another, but that are electrically insulated from one another, electrode components at distal ends of the clamp members for grasping tissue and conducting an electrical current through the tissue to cause coagulation, handle devices at proximal ends of the clamp members, current-supply means for supplying the electrical current to the electrode components, wherein the current-supply means is disposed at the proximal end of one of the clamp members, and ratchets which are located between the pivot joint and the proximal ends of the clamp members to lock the clamp members to one another when in a closed position, wherein the ratchets form a conducting section of the current-supply means and are constructed such that current flow from the current-supply means to the electrode components is possible only when the ratchets are in their closed position.