Tissue sealing forceps

An end effector assembly of a forceps, comprising:

• first and second jaw members, at least one of the first or second jaw members moveable relative to the other of the first or second jaw members between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to grasp tissue therebetween, each of the first and second jaw members including:
• an electrically-insulative tissue-grasping surface defining a peripheral edge;
• and
• an electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate defining a continuously flat upper surface, the electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate disposed on the peripheral edge of the electrically-insulative tissue-grasping surface, the electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate having a U-shaped configuration and defining an interior area, the electrically-conductive tissue sealing plates configured to conduct energy through the tissue disposed therebetween to create a tissue seal, the electrically-conductive tissue sealing plate raised with respect to the electrically-insulative tissue-grasping surface away from the first or second jaw members,
• at least one of the first or second jaw members including:
• a plurality of discrete thermal damage elements disposed on the electrically-insulative tissue-grasping surface thereof and positioned within the interior area, the plurality of thermal damage elements configured to conduct energy through the tissue to thermally-damage the tissue adjacent the tissue seal.