Electrosurgical forceps

Surgical forceps connectable with the bipolar output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output of first polarity and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive metal first tissue grasping surface;
• a second tine connectable with said output of second polarity and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive metal second tissue grasping surface, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• and
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly mounted upon said second tip region metal second tissue grasping surface and having a configuration with said first tissue grasping surface for spacing them apart a distance, T, when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, the geometric surface shape of said configuration and said distance, T, being effective to establish electrical contact between metal tissue grasping surface exposed portions of said second tissue grasping surface at said second tip region and grasped tissue and to derive current paths defining a substantially uniform power density, between said first and second tissue grasping surfaces and through grasped tissue therebetween of lengths not exceeding a value achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue, said geometric surface shape being effective to securely grasp and extrude said tissue into electrically conducting contact with each said first and second tissue grasping surface.

Surgical forceps connectable with the bipolar output of an electrosurgical generator having a power output to load impedance characteristic exhibiting a preferred load impedance range for effecting hemostasis of grasped tissue, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output of first polarity and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive first tissue grasping surface with a first periphery of predetermined shape;
• a second tine connectable with said output of second polarity and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive second tissue grasping surface with a second periphery of predetermined shape, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• and
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly fixed to at least one said first and second tissue grasping surface and having a configuration for spacing said first and second grasping surfaces apart a distance, T, when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, said distance, T, and the surface configuration of said spacer assembly being selected to derive a load impedance with respect to said grasped tissue within said desired load impedance range when said first and second grasping surfaces are grasping tissue while spaced apart substantially about said distance, T, said configuration being effective to derive current paths between said first and second grasping surfaces corresponding with said load impedance and said spacer assembly, having a geometry effective to securely grasp and extrude said tissue into electrically conducting contact with each interstitial contact surface adjacent said spacer assembly at said grasping surfaces to derive said current paths and avoid slippage from said tissue during its surgical manipulation.

Surgical forceps connectable with the bipolar output of an electrosurgical generator for contacting tissue to effect hemostasis, said generator exhibiting a given power output to load impedance characteristic having an impedance range of efficient coagulation performance comprising:

• a first tine connectable with a said output of first polarity and extending longitudinally to a first tip region of generally rectangular cross-section, one surface of which is an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface having a width, L1, transverse to said longitudinal extent and having a first side surface of an effective length, L2, disposed at an angle, .alpha. with respect to said tissue grasping surface;
• a second tine connectable with a said output of second polarity and extending longitudinally to a second tip region of generally rectangular cross-section and one surface of which is an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface having a said width, L1, transverse to said longitudinal extent and having a second side surface of an effective length, L3, disposed at said angle, .alpha. with respect to said tissue grasping surface of said second tip region, said first and second tip regions and said first and second side surfaces being mutually oppositely disposed in substantial alignment and said first and second tip regions being relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping said tissue;
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly fixed to at least one said tissue grasping surface for spacing said electrically conducting tissue grasping surfaces apart a distance, T, when said first and second tines substantially are in said closed orientation;
• and
• said angle, .alpha. is selected from within a range between about 80.degree. and 100.degree. establishing adjacent said first and second side surfaces at respective said first and second tip regions having said effective lengths L2 and L3 with values effective to provide hemostasis in tissue in sliding contact with them, said effective lengths. L2 and L3, having values selected to evoke load impedances substantially within said impedance range.

The method for grasping a select component of tissue of a body and effecting hemostasis at such tissue comprising the steps of:

• providing an electrosurgical generator controllable to have a bipolar output;
• providing surgical forceps, including:
• a first tine connectable with said output of first polarity and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive metal first tissue grasping surface,
• a second tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive metal second tissue grasping surface, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue, and
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly mounted upon at least one said first and second tissue grasping surface and having a configuration for spacing them apart a distance, T, when said first and second tines substantially are in said closed orientation, the geometric surface shape of said configuration and said distance, T, being effective to derive current paths defining a substantially uniform power density between said surfaces and through grasped tissue of lengths not exceeding a value achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue while avoiding arcing, said geometric surface shape being effective to securely grasp and extrude said tissue into electrically conducting contact with each said grasping surface;
• grasping said component of tissue between said first and second tip regions by manually urging said first and second tines toward said closed orientation such that said component of tissue is extruded into contact with said metal first tissue grasping surface and said second metal tissue grasping surface to an extent said length is substantially derived;
• and
• controlling said electrosurgical generator to convey current from said output to said first and second tines to establish current flow along said current path for an interval effective to establish said hemostasis.

The method for effecting hemostasis at the surface of tissue comprising the steps of:

• providing an electrosurgical generator controllable to have an output, said generator exhibiting a given power output to load impedance characteristic having an impedance range of efficient coagulation performance,
• providing surgical forceps, including:
• a first tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a first tip region of generally rectangular cross-section, one surface of which is an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface having a width, L1, transverse to said longitudinal extent and having a first side surface of an effective length, L2, disposed at an angle, .alpha., with respect to said tissue grasping surface,
• a second tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a second tip region of generally rectangular cross-section and one surface of which is an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface, having a said width, L1, transverse to said longitudinal extent and having a second side surface of an effective length, L3, disposed at said angle, .alpha., with respect to said tissue grasping surface of said second tip region, said first and second tip regions and said first and second side surfaces being mutually oppositely disposed in substantial alignment and said first and second tip regions being relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping said tissue,
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly fixed to at least one said tissue grasping surface for spacing said electrically conducting tissue grasping surfaces apart a distance, T, when said first and second tines substantially are in closed orientation, and
• said angle, .alpha., is selected from within a range between about 80.degree. and 100.degree. establishing adjacent said first and second side surfaces at respective said first and second tip regions having said effective lengths L2 and L3 with values effective to provide hemostasis in tissue in sliding contact with them said effective lengths, L2 and L3 having values selected to evoke load impedances substantially within said impedance range;
• manually moving said first and second tines substantially into said closed orientation;
• contacting said surface simultaneously with said first and second side surfaces while said first and second tines are substantially in said closed orientation;
• controlling said electrosurgical generator to convey current from said output to said first and second tines to establish a flow of current from said first side surface, through said tissue to said second side surface to effect said hemostasis;
• and
• moving said forceps to deliver said effected hemostasis along a predetermined path while said first and second tines are substantially in said closed orientation and said flow of current is established.

Surgical forceps connectable with the output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a first tip region, said first tip region being a first laminar composite having a first thermally conductive outwardly disposed metal component bonded with a first biocompatible, electrically conductive metal inwardly disposed component configured to provide a first tissue grasping region,
• a second tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a second tip region, said second tip region being a second laminar component having a second thermally conductive outwardly disposed metal component bonded with a second biocompatible electrically conductive metal inwardly disposed component configured to provide a second tissue grasping region, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• and
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly mounted upon at least one said first and second tissue grasping region respective first and second biocompatible electrically conductive metal component and having a configuration for spacing them apart a distance, T, when said firs and second tines are in said closed orientation, the geometric surface shape of said configuration, and said distance, T, being effective to derive a substantially uniform power density along current paths between said first an second regions and through grasped tissue of length not exceeding a value achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue while avoiding arcing, and said spacer assembly, having a geometry effective to securely grasp and extrude said tissue into electrically conducting contact with each interstitial contact surface adjacent said spacer assembly at said grasping regions to derive said current paths and avoid slippage from said tissue during its surgical manipulation.

Surgical forceps connectable with the bipolar output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output of first polarity and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive metal first tissue grasping surface;
• a second tine connectable with said output of second polarity and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed second electrically conductive metal tissue grasping surface, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• and
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly mounted upon at least one said first and second tip region metal tissue grasping surface and having a configuration for spacing them apart a distance, T, when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, said distance, T, being limited to an extent effective to cause the extrusion of said tissue into intimate electrical contact with each said first and second tissue grasping surfaces when said first and second tip regions are moved toward said closed orientation to define current paths between said first and second tissue grasping surfaces and through grasped tissue therebetween deriving uniform power density and achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue.

Surgical forceps connectable with the bipolar output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with a said output of first polarity and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface with a first periphery of predetermined shape and configured to provide said electrically conductive surface as a first array of sequentially disposed grooves and lands;
• a second tine connectable with a said output of second polarity and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface with a periphery of predetermined shape, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping said tissue, and said second tip region being configured to provide said electrically conductive surface as a second array of sequentially disposed grooves and lands displaced along the longitudinal extent of said second tine with respect to said first array an amount effective to align each said groove of said first array with a corresponding said land of said second array;
• and
• at least two, electrically insulative, spaced apart spacer regions mounted upon at least one said grasping surface for spacing said electrically conductive surfaces apart a distance, T, when substantially in said closed orientation effective to derive a current path between said surfaces and through grasped tissue of length not exceeding a value achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue while avoiding arcing, said spacer regions being located only within the said grooves of said second array.

Surgical forceps connectable with the bipolar output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with a said output of first polarity and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface with a first periphery of predetermined shape, said first tip region being configured having an array of discrete, spaced apart holes of circular peripheral shape;
• a second tine connectable with a said output of second polarity and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface with a periphery of predetermined shape, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping said tissue;
• and
• at least two, electrically insulative, spaced apart spacer regions provided as discrete pegs mounted within said spaced apart holes and spacing said electrically conductive surfaces apart a distance, T, when substantially in said closed orientation, effective to derive a current path between said surfaces and through grasped tissue of length not exceeding a value achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue while avoiding arcing.

Surgical forceps connectable with the bipolar output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with a said output of first polarity and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface with a first periphery of predetermined shape and extending to a first tip periphery, and including an inwardly depending tooth located at said tip periphery and having a predetermined tooth length;
• a second tine connectable with a said output of second polarity and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface with a periphery of predetermined shape and extending to a second tip periphery, including a recess at said tip periphery extending to a bottom surface at a depth corresponding with said predetermined tooth length having a configuration corresponding with said tooth, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping said tissue;
• an electrically insulative, spaced apart spacer region mounted upon at least one said grasping surface for spacing said electrically conductive surfaces apart a distance, T, when substantially in said closed orientation effective to derive a current path between said surfaces and through grasped tissue of length not exceeding a value achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue while avoiding arcing;
• and
• said bottom surface of said second tip region being spaced in electrically insulative relationship from said tooth said distance, T, in the presence of said substantially closed orientation.

Surgical forceps connectable with the bipolar output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with a said output of first polarity and extending longitudinally to a first tip region configured as a laminar composite having a thermally conductive component bonded with an inwardly disposed biocompatible component, said first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface with a first periphery of predetermined shape;
• a second tine connectable with a said output of second polarity and extending longitudinally to a second tip region configured as a laminar composite having a thermally conductive component bonded with an inwardly disposed biocompatible component, said second tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive tissue grasping surface with a periphery of predetermined shape, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping said tissue;
• and
• at least two electrically insulative, spaced apart spacer regions deposited upon and supported by at least one said biocompatible component for spacing said electrically conductive surfaces apart a distance, T, when substantially in said closed orientation effective to derive a current path between said surfaces and through grasped tissue of length not exceeding a value achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue while avoiding arcing;
• and
• said composite being coated with an electro-deposited biocompatible metallic layer to provide said grasping surfaces.

Surgical forceps connectable with the output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive metal first tissue grasping surface;
• a second tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed second electrically conductive metal tissue grasping surface, and configured having an array of discrete, spaced apart holes of circular peripheral shape, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• and
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly mounted upon said second tip region metal tissue grasping surface comprising discrete pegs mounted within said spaced apart holes and extending outwardly from said second electrically conductive metal tissue grasping surface, and having a configuration with said first tissue grasping surface for spacing them apart a distance, T, when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, the geometric surface shape of said configuration and said distance, T, being effective to establish electrical contact between metal tissue grasping surface exposed portions of said second surface at said second tip region and grasped tissue and to derive a current path between said first and second tissue grasping surfaces and through grasped tissue therebetween of length not exceeding a value achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue.

Surgical forceps connectable with the output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having a tip periphery and an inwardly disposed electrically conductive metal first tissue grasping surface, and including an inwardly depending tooth located at said tip periphery and having a predetermined tooth length extending to an engaging surface;
• a second tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having a tip periphery and an inwardly disposed second electrically conductive metal tissue grasping surface, including a recess extending a length corresponding with said predetermined tooth length to a bottom surface and configured in correspondence with said tooth, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• and
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly comprising an insulative coating located at said recess bottom surfaced having a thickness for spacing said engaging surface from said bottom surface a distance, T, when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, said distance, T, being effective to establish electrical contact between metal tissue grasping surface exposed portions of said second surface at said second tip region and grasped tissue and to derive a current path between said first and second tissue grasping surfaces and through grasped tissue therebetween of length not exceeding a value achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue.

Surgical forceps connectable with the output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having a tip periphery and an inwardly disposed electrically conductive metal first tissue grasping surface and including an inwardly depending tooth located at said tip periphery and having a predetermined tooth length extending to a tooth end;
• a second tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having a tip periphery and an inwardly disposed second electrically conductive metal tissue grasping surface including a recess extending to a bottom surface at a depth corresponding, with said predetermined tooth length, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• and
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly mounted upon said second tip region metal tissue grasping surface and having a configuration spacing said tooth end from said bottom surface a distance, T, when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, the geometric:
• surface shape of said configuration and said distance, T, being effective to establish electrical contact between metal tissue grasping surface exposed portions of said second surface at said second tip region and grasped tissue and to derive a current path between said first and second tissue grasping surfaces and through grasped tissue therebetween of length not exceeding a value achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue.

Surgical forceps connectable with the output of an electrosurgical generator having a power output to load impedance characteristic exhibiting a preferred load impedance range for effecting hemostasis of grasped tissue, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive first tissue grasping surface with a first periphery of predetermined shape extending to a tip periphery and including an inwardly depending tooth located in said tip periphery and having a predetermined tooth length extending to an engaging surface;
• a second tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive second tissue grasping surface with a second periphery of predetermined shape, extending to a tip periphery, including a recess extending a length corresponding with said predetermined length to a bottom surface and configured in correspondence with said tooth, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• and
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly fixed to at least one said first and second tissue grasping surface comprising an insulative coating located at said recess bottom surface having a thickness for spacing said engaging surface from said bottom surface a distance, T, when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, said distance, T, and the surface configuration of said spacer assembly being selected to derive a load impedance within said desired load impedance range when said first and second grasping surfaces are grasping tissue while spaced apart substantially about said distance, T.

Surgical forceps connectable with the output of an electrosurgical generator having a power output to load impedance characteristics exhibiting a preferred load impedance range for effecting hemostasis of grasped tissue, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive first tissue grasping surface with a first periphery of predetermined shape, extending to a tip periphery and including an inwardly depending tooth located at said tip periphery having a predetermined tooth length extending to a tooth end;
• a second tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having and an inwardly disposed electrically conductive second tissue grasping surface with a second periphery of predetermined shape, extending to a tip periphery and including a recess extending to a bottom surface at a depth corresponding with said predetermined tooth length;
• said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• and
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly fixed to at least one said first and second tissue grasping surface and having a configuration for spacing said tooth end from said bottom surface a distance, T;
• when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, said distance, T, and the surface configuration of said spacer assembly being selected to derive a load impedance within said desired load impedance range when said first and second grasping surfaces are grasping tissue while spaced apart substantially about said distance, T.

Surgical forceps connectable with the output of an electrosurgical generator having a power output to load impedance characteristic exhibiting a preferred load impedance range for effecting hemostasis of grasped tissue, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive first tissue grasping surface with a first periphery of predetermined shape, said first tip region being configured as a laminar composite having a thermally conductive component bonded with an inwardly disposed biocompatible component;
• a second tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive second tissue grasping surface with a second periphery of predetermined shape, said second tip region being configured as a laminar composite having a thermally conductive component bonded with an inwardly disposed biocompatible component, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly fixed to at least one said first and second tissue grasping surface at said biocompatible component and having a configuration for spacing said first and second grasping surfaces apart a distance, T, when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, said distance, T, and the surface configuration of said spacer assembly being selected to derive a load impedance within said desired load impedance range when said first and second grasping surfaces are grasping tissue while spaced apart substantially about said distance, T;
• and
• said composite being coated with an electro-deposited biocompatible metallic layer.

Surgical forceps connectable with the output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a first tip region, said first tip region being a first laminar composite having a first thermally conductive outwardly disposed copper metal component bonded with a first biocompatible, electrically conductive stainless steel metal inwardly disposed component configured to provide a first tissue grasping region;
• a second tine connectable with said output and extending longitudinally to a second tip region, said second tip region being a second laminar component having a second thermally conductive outwardly disposed copper metal component bonded with a second biocompatible, electrically conductive stainless steel metal inwardly disposed component configured to provide a second tissue grasping region, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly mounted upon at least one said first and second tissue grasping region first and second biocompatible electrically conductive metal component and having a configuration for spacing them apart a distance, T, when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, the geometric surface shape of said configuration and said distance, T, being effective to derive current paths between said first and second regions and through grasped tissue of length not exceeding a value achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue while avoiding arcing;
• and
• each said first and second laminar composites being coated with an electro-deposited layer of biocompatible metal.

Surgical forceps connectable with the bipolar output of an electrosurgical generator for grasping tissue and for effecting hemostasis, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output of first polarity and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive metal first tissue grasping surface extending to an outer tip periphery of said first tip region;
• a second tine connectable with said output of second polarity and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed second electrically conductive metal tissue grasping surface, extending to an outer tip periphery said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• and
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly mounted upon said first tip region metal tissue grasping surface including a first array of parallel strips of insulative material fixed to said first tissue grasping surface at said first tip region, extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of said first tine, one said strip of insulative, material being located at said outer periphery of said first tip, said first array of parallel strips having a configuration with respect to said second grasping surface for spacing them apart a distance, T, when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, said distance, T, being effective to establish electrical contact between metal tissue grasping surface exposed portions of said first surface at said first tip region and grasped tissue and to define a substantially uniform power density between said first and second tissue grasping surfaces and through grasped tissue therebetween achieving effective coagulation of said grasped tissue, said array of strips being effective to securely grasp and extrude said tissue into electrically conducting contact with each said first and second grasping surface;
• and
• said first and second tissue grasping surface being coated with an electro-deposited biocompatible metallic layer.

Surgical forceps connectable with the bipolar output of an electrosurgical generator having a power output to load impedance characteristic exhibiting a preferred load impedance range for effecting hemostasis of grasped tissue, comprising:

• a first tine connectable with said output of first polarity and extending longitudinally to a first tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive first tissue grasping surface with a first periphery of predetermined shape and extending to a tip periphery;
• a second tine connectable with said output of second polarity and extending longitudinally to a second tip region having an inwardly disposed electrically conductive second tissue grasping surface with a second periphery of predetermined shape and extending to a tip periphery, said first and second tip regions being mutually oppositely disposed in alignment and relatively movable from an open toward a closed orientation for grasping tissue;
• an electrically insulative spacer assembly fixed to at least one said first and second tissue grasping surface and having a configuration for spacing said first and second grasping surfaces apart a distance, T, when said first and second tines are in said closed orientation, said spacer assembly including a first array of parallel strips of insulative material fixed to said first tissue grasping surface at said first tip region, extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of said first tine, one said strip of insulative material being located at said outer periphery of said first tip, said distance, T, being selected to derive a load impedance within said desired load impedance range when said first and second grasping surfaces are grasping tissue while spaced apart substantially about said distance, T, said configuration being effective to derive current paths between said first and second grasping surfaces corresponding with said load competence:
• and
• said first and second tissue grasping surfaces being coated with an electro-deposited, biocompatible metallic layer.