Vessel sealing instrument

Abstract

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for clamping, grasping, manipulating, and sealing tissue includes first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof. The handle being operable to effect movement of the jaw members 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. The bipolar instrument is connectable to a source of electrical energy having a first electrical potential connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. Both the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of sealing tissue, comprising: 
 providing an electrosurgical energy source connected to a surgical instrument used for open surgical procedures, said surgical instrument including a pair of jaws members;    closing the jaw members around tissue so as to provide a gap between the jaw members in the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches and a closure pressure of in the range of about 3 kg/cm 2  to about 16 kg/cm 2 ; and    applying electrosurgical energy to the jaws so that energy passes between the jaw members and through tissue to effect a tissue seal.    
     
     
         2 . A method of sealing tissue, comprising: 
 providing a surgical instrument for use with open surgical procedures, said surgical instrument including a pair of jaws members adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy;    closing the jaw members around tissue so as to provide a gap between the jaw members in the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches and a closure pressure of in the range of about 3 kg/cm 2  to about 16 kg/cm 2 ; and    applying electrosurgical energy to the jaws so that energy passes between the jaw members and through tissue to effect a tissue seal.