Abstract: An Electrosurgical bipolar forceps for sealing tissue is disclosed which includes at least one shaft member having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. The jaw members are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members including a sealing plate which communicates electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. At least one of the sealing plates includes one or more adjustable stop members coupled to one or more controllers. The adjustable stop member(s) are adapted for separating the sealing plates by a predetermined gap distance and the controller(s) adapted for adjusting the adjustable stop member(s) to close the sealing plates at a predetermined rate.

Abstract: An electrode sealing assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue includes first and second jaw members which are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one second position for grasping tissue. The jaw members include electrically conductive sealing plates designed to selectively transmit electrosurgical energy to tissue disposed between the sealing plates. The jaw members also include a thermoelectric cooling plate having a first surface in direct contact with an outer surface of the sealing plate. The thermoelectric cooling plate includes first and second electrical connections on opposite sides of the jaw member. The first connection is configured to selectively transmit a first electrical potential and the second connection is configured to selectively transmit a second electrical potential such that heat generated by the sealing plates is transferred away from the tissue via the thermoelectric cooling plate.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical forceps includes first and second opposing jaw members having respective tissue engaging surfaces associated therewith. The first and second jaw members are adapted for relative movement between an open position to receive tissue and a closed position engaging tissue between the tissue engaging surfaces to effect a tissue seal upon activation of the forceps. The first and second jaw members each include an electrode having a plurality of tissue engaging surfaces which define at least one channel therebetween. The plurality of tissue engaging surfaces of the first jaw member are substantially aligned with the plurality of tissue engaging surfaces of the second jaw member so as to impede fluid flow therebetween and force tissue fluid to flow within the at least one channel during the sealing process.