VESSEL SEALER AND DIVIDER WITH NON-CONDUCTIVE STOP MEMBERS

摘要

An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue comprises an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are 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. A source of electrical energy is connected to each jaw member, each jaw member having an inner facing electrically conductive surface such that the electrically conductive surface of the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. At least one inner facing electrically conductive surface includes a longitudinally-oriented channel to divide the electrically conductive surface into a first half and a second half and at least one first non-conductive stop member is disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. At least one first stop member is provided as two stop members in the form of a longitudinally-oriented ridge extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the first half of the electrically conductive surface, and a longitudinally-oriented ridge extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the second half of the electrically conductive surface; and a reciprocating knife is disposed in the longitudinally-oriented channel for severing tissue proximate the seal.