Tissue fusion device

A bipolar surgical instrument for fusing tissue, comprising:

• first and second grasping members, each of the grasping members including an end effector assembly having a first jaw member with an active electrode disposed thereon and a second jaw member with a dielectric member disposed thereon, the first and second jaw members being in substantial opposing relation relative to one another and movable from a first spaced position relative to one another to a second closer position for grasping tissue, each of the active electrodes includes an electrically conductive lateral side surface which substantially opposes a corresponding electrically conductive lateral side surface of the active electrode on the other grasping member, each of the active electrodes being operably connected to an electrosurgical energy source;
• a surgical crimping tool selectively positionable to mechanically engage and crimp the active electrodes of the end effector assemblies of the grasping members in juxtaposed, side-by-side manner relative to one another prior to electrosurgical activation of the active electrodes, wherein the surgical crimping tool crimps the active electrodes of the grasping members under a working pressure within the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2 thereby squeezing tissue between the juxtaposed active electrodes prior to electrosurgical activation thereof;
• and
• at least one stop member disposed on at least one of the electrically conductive lateral side surfaces of at least one of the active electrodes, the stop member being configured to maintain a gap distance between the corresponding electrically conductive lateral side surfaces.

A method of fusing tissue using radiofrequency energy, comprising the steps of:

• providing:
• first and second grasping members, each of the grasping members including an end effector assembly having a first jaw member with an active electrode disposed thereon and a second jaw member with a dielectric member disposed thereon, the first and second jaw members being in substantial opposing relation relative to one another, each of active electrodes being operably connected to an electrosurgical energy source;
• a surgical crimping tool selectively positionable to mechanically engage and crimp the end effectors of the grasping members;
• positioning the first and second jaw members of the first grasping member to grasp tissue therebetween leaving an inwardly exposed tissue end;
• positioning the first and second jaw members of the second grasping member to grasp tissue therebetween leaving an inwardly exposed tissue end;
• actuating the surgical crimping tool to crimp the end effectors of the first and second grasping members in a juxtaposed, side-by-side manner relative to one another to compress the exposed tissue ends against one another;
• and
• energizing the jaw members with radiofrequency energy to effectively fuse the exposed tissue ends.