Knife lockout for electrosurgical forceps

An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:

• first and second shafts each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the shafts configured to move relative to each other to move the jaw members between an open position and a closed position;
• a knife deployment mechanism coupled to one of the first or second shafts;
• a knife operably coupled to the knife deployment mechanism via a pivot pin, the knife deployment mechanism configured to move the knife to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members;
• and
• a knife lockout defining a first stop and a second stop spaced from the first stop, the knife lockout configured to move between a first position, a second position, and a third position, wherein:
• when the knife lockout is in the first position, the pivot pin contacts the first stop to prevent movement of the knife;
• when the knife lockout is moved from the first position to the second position, the pivot pin is out of contact with the first stop such that movement of the knife is permitted;
• and
• when the knife lockout is moved from the second position to the third position, the pivot pin is received within a recess defined by the second stop to prevent movement of the knife.

An electrosurgical forceps, comprising:

• first and second shafts each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof, the first and second shafts movable relative to each other to move the jaw members between an open position and a closed position;
• a knife configured to move longitudinally to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members when the jaw member are in the closed position;
• and
• a knife lockout defining a first stop and a second stop spaced from the first stop, the knife lockout configured to move between a first position, a second position, and a third position, wherein:
• when the knife lockout is in the first position, the first stop prevents movement of the knife;
• when the knife lockout is moved from the first position to the second position, movement of the knife is permitted;
• and
• when the knife lockout is moved from the second position to the third position, a recess defined by the second stop prevents movement of the knife.