Patent ID: 8663222

Claim:
An end effector assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument, the end effector assembly comprising: first and second jaw members disposed in opposed relation relative to one another, at least one of the jaw members moveable relative to the other from a first, open position to a second, closed position wherein jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween; each jaw member including an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue disposed between the jaw members; a static electrosurgical cutting portion disposed on at least one of the jaw members, the static cutting portion including at least one first electrically conductive cutting element and at least one first insulating element positioned adjacent the at least one first electrically conductive cutting element, the at least one first insulating element configured and dimensioned to define a first configuration for electrically cutting tissue statically retained between the jaw members upon activation of the at least one first electrically conductive cutting element; and a dynamic electrosurgical cutting portion disposed on at least one of the jaw members, the dynamic cutting portion including at least one second electrically conductive cutting element and at least one second insulating element positioned adjacent the at least one second electrically conductive cutting element, the at least one second insulating element configured and dimensioned to define a second configuration, different from the first configuration, for electrically transecting tissue upon movement of the dynamic electrosurgical cutting portion relative to tissue with the at least one second electrically conductive cutting element activated.