Laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument

A laparoscopic bipolar electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue, comprising:

• a handle having an elongated tube affixed thereto, the tube including first and second jaw members attached to a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable from a first position for approximating tissue to at least one subsequent position for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface, the handle including a fixed handle and a movable handle, the movable handle being movable relative to the fixed handle to effect movement of the jaw members from the first position to the at least one subsequent position for grasping tissue, the opposable sealing surfaces including a non-stick material for reducing tissue adhesion during the sealing process;
• means for connecting the jaw members to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the opposable sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;
• a stop disposed on one of the opposable sealing surfaces for maintaining a minimum separation distance between the opposable sealing surfaces;
• and
• a ratchet disposed on one of the fixed and movable handles and at least one complimentary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the other of the fixed and movable handles, the ratchet and the complimentary interlocking mechanical interface providing at least one interlocking position to maintain a closure force in the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2 between opposable sealing surfaces.