Coated electrosurgical vessel sealer electrodes

A vessel sealing device, comprising:

• a pair of electrodes formed from a conductive material and each having one of a pair of planar surfaces defining a face that are movable between open and closed positions to capture a vessel therebetween;
• and
• a coating on the pair of planar surfaces, wherein the coating is formed from a non-conductive material and has a non-uniform topological surface characterized by a plurality of thicker regions interspersed with a plurality of thinner regions relative to each other such that any radiofrequency energy supplied by a radiofrequency generator in a constant power mode between 20 and 100 Watts with a voltage of between 80 and 160 root mean square voltage will pass between the pair of electrodes if the vessel is captured between the planar surfaces but will not pass if the vessel is absent;
• wherein the coating on the pair of planar surfaces of the pair of electrodes has a total profile that varies between −5.8 micrometers and 6.2 micrometers from a centerline average and a roughness profile that varies between −6.5 micrometers and 6.5 micrometers from a centerline average.