Abstract: An apparatus including a body, a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, and an end effector configured to grasp and transmit RF energy to the tissue. The end effector includes a first jaw having a first tissue grasping feature and a second jaw. The second jaw is pivotably coupled to the first jaw between an open position, a partially closed position, and a closed position. The second jaw includes a proximal taper having a proximal electrode surface, a distal taper including a distal electrode surface, and a juncture between the proximal and distal electrode surface. The juncture is spaced further from the first tissue grasping feature compared to the proximal and distal end while the second jaw is in the partially closed position. The proximal and distal electrode surface deform to define a gap with the first tissue grasping feature while in the closed position.

Abstract: An arcing electron stream apparatus and method for reducing pollutants in a fluid. The device includes first and second electrodes and a chamber there-between. Voltage is impressed between the electrodes at a frequency, thereby causing a plurality of arcing electron streams to occur between the electrodes. The electrodes have stepped surface such that the central first section of the electrodes are in closer proximity to each other than are the outer second sections. This stepped configuration causes arcing electron streams to progressively be formed along the electrodes and, thus, traverse throughout the chamber, thereby effectively treating molecules within the chamber.