Tissue Sealer and End Effector Assembly and Method of Manufacturing Same

摘要

A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes at least one shaft having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The end effector assembly includes a pair of first and second opposing jaw members 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. At least the first jaw member includes proximal and distal ends which define a cavity along a length thereof which houses an insulative member therein. The insulative member includes an electrically conductive sealing surface mounted thereto which resides in substantial opposition with a second electrically conductive sealing surface disposed on the second jaw member. One end of the first jaw member which defines the cavity extends a fixed distance toward the second jaw member to form a gap between electrically conductive surfaces when the jaw members are closed to grasp tissue.