Electrosurgical forceps including thermal cutting element

A jaw member of a surgical instrument, comprising:

• a frame including a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion, the distal body portion including a proximal section extending from the proximal flange portion, a distal section, and a center section extending between the proximal and distal sections, the distal body portion including first and second distal body portion segments, wherein the distal body portion segments are disposed further apart from one another along the center section as compared to the proximal and distal sections;
• a thermal cutting element disposed within the distal body portion of the frame and extending from the proximal section, through the center section, to the distal section;
• a tissue-treating plate disposed atop the frame and thermal cutting element, the tissue-treating plate defining a channel, wherein a tissue-treating surface of the thermal cutting element extends at least partially through the channel;
• and
• a jaw housing surrounding the structural frame, the thermal cutting element, and the tissue-treating plate and retaining the tissue-treating plate in position relative to the frame and the thermal cutting element,
• wherein the proximal flange portion of the frame includes first and second proximal flange portion segments connected to the first and second distal body portion segments, respectively, and
• wherein a proximal hub of the thermal cutting element extends at least partially between the first and second proximal flange portion segments, and
• wherein the proximal hub and the first and second proximal flange portion segments define aligned apertures configured for receipt of a pivot to engage the proximal hub with the first and second proximal flange portion segments.

A jaw member of a surgical instrument, comprising:

• a frame including a proximal flange portion and a distal body portion, the distal body portion including a proximal section extending from the proximal flange portion, a distal section, and a center section extending between the proximal and distal sections, the distal body portion including first and second distal body portion segments, wherein the distal body portion segments are disposed further apart from one another along the center section as compared to the proximal and distal sections;
• a thermal cutting element disposed within the distal body portion of the frame and extending from the proximal section, through the center section, to the distal section;
• a tissue-treating plate disposed atop the frame and thermal cutting element, the tissue-treating plate defining a channel, wherein a tissue-treating surface of the thermal cutting element extends at least partially through the channel;
• a jaw housing surrounding the frame, the thermal cutting element, and the tissue-treating plate and retaining the tissue-treating plate in position relative to the frame and the thermal cutting element;
• and
• a second frame at least partially surrounding the frame and conforming at least partially thereto.