Electrosurgical forceps with slow closure sealing plates and method of sealing tissue

Abstract From the Canadian patent

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 …