Vessel sealer and divider with non-conductive stop members

Abstract

An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof. The jaw members 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. The jaws members are connected to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal. At least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member is disposed on an inner-facing surface of the jaw members to regulate the gap distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween. The forceps also includes a longitudinally reciprocating knife which severs the tissue after sealing at a location which is proximate the sealing site.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . An endoscopic bipolar forceps, comprising:
 a housing;   an elongated shaft extending from the housing;   opposing jaw members disposed at a distal end of the elongated shaft, at least one of the jaw members movable relative to the other 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 are closer to one another, the jaw members each including a flat seal surface extending along a respective length thereof and adaptable to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the flat seal surfaces are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to treat tissue;   at least one of the flat seal surfaces including a knife channel defined therein and extending along a length thereof;   a plurality of stop members disposed along the length of the at least one flat seal surface, at least one of the stop members disposed on a first side of the knife channel and at least another one of the stop members disposed on a second side of the knife channel, the plurality of stop members configured to maintain a distance between the flat seal surfaces when the jaw members are disposed in the second position; and   a knife configured to translate through the knife channel.   
     
     
         20 . The endoscopic forceps according to  claim 19 , wherein at least two of the plurality of stop members are disposed on the same plane along the at least one flat seal surface. 
     
     
         21 . The endoscopic forceps according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of stop members maintains a uniform distance between the flat seal surfaces along the lengths thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one flat seal surface includes at least two stop members that extend different heights from the flat seal surface. 
     
     
         23 . The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 19 , wherein at least two of the plurality of stop members are configured as a pair of stop members on either side of the knife channel. 
     
     
         24 . The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one stop member of the plurality of stop members is proximate the first side of the knife channel and at least one stop member of the plurality of stop members is proximate the second side of the knife channel. 
     
     
         25 . The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of stop members comprises a series of circle-like tabs that extend from a proximal end of the at least one flat seal surface to a distal end of the at least one flat seal surface. 
     
     
         26 . The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 19 , wherein each of the plurality of stop members protrudes 0.001 inches to 0.005 inches from the at least one flat seal surface. 
     
     
         27 . The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of stop members is configured to prevent short circuiting between the flat seal surfaces. 
     
     
         28 . The endoscopic bipolar forceps according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of stop members includes at least one pair of stop members arranged transversely atop the at least one flat seal surface.