Patent ID: 7276068

Claim:
An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and cutting vessels and/or tissue, the end effector assembly comprising: a pair of opposing first and second jaw members at least one of which being movable relative to the other 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 a pair of spaced apart, electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal; an insulator disposed between each pair of electrically conductive sealing surfaces; the first jaw member including an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator of the first jaw member, the electrically conductive cutting element disposed in general vertical registration to the insulator on the second jaw member; wherein the cutting element extends from the first electrically conductive tissue sealing surface towards the second electrically conductive tissue sealing surface to create a gap between the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces when the jaw members close for sealing tissue; the cutting element being inactive during the sealing process and the pair of spaced apart electrically conductive sealing surfaces on the first jaw member being energized to a different potential from the corresponding pair of spaced apart electrically conductive sealing surfaces on the second jaw member such that electrosurgical energy can be transferred through the tissue to effect a tissue seal; and the cutting element being energized to a first potential during the cutting process and at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface on the first jaw member and at least one electrically conductive tissue sealing surface on the second jaw member being energized to a different potential such that electrosurgical energy can be transferred through the tissue to effect a tissue cut.