| abstract |
An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing, coagulating, and / or ablating blood vessels and / or tissue. The end effector assembly is a pair of opposed first and second jaw members, at least one of which is movable relative to the other from a first position to a second position. Each of the jaw members is a conductive tissue sealing surface extending along its length, each of the tissue sealing surfaces being connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. An insulating support element configured to support each of the conductive tissue sealing surfaces; and an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulating support element of at least one of the jaws And a pair of opposing first and second jaw members including at least one channel defined in at least one of the insulative support elements. [Selection] Figure 1A |