ELECTRODE ASSEMBLY FOR SEALING AND CUTTING TISSUE AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING SAME

摘要

An electrode assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which 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. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface which is connected to an electrosurgical energy source such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through the tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. The first jaw member has an electrically conductive cutting element dielectrically disposed within the first tissue contacting surface and the second jaw member includes an insulator disposed therein directly opposite the cutting element. Preferably, the cutting element extends from the first tissue contacting surface towards the second tissue contacting surface to create a gap between the tissue contacting surfaces during sealing and the cutting element and the first tissue contacting surface are independently activatable by the surgeon.