Electrosurgical systems and techniques for sealing tissue

A jaw assembly of a surgical instrument, comprising:

• an instrument working end carrying paired openable and closeable jaws, the opposing jaw faces in the closed position defining a longitudinal axis;
• an extension member that is slidable from a fast retracted position to a second extended position in a longitudinal channel within said paired jaws;
• and
• said extension member having first surfaces that engage cooperating second surfaces of said paired jaws over the entire length of the jaw faces to move the jaws toward the closed position and maintain the jaws with a selected gap therebetween with the extension member in the second position.

A jaw assembly of a surgical instrument, comprising:

• an instrument working end carrying paired openable and closeable jaws, the jaws in the closed position defining a longitudinal axis;
• an extension member that is slidable from a first retracted position to a second extended position in a longitudinal channel within said paired jaws;
• said extension member having first surfaces that engage cooperating second surfaces of said paired jaws over a substantial longitudinal length of the jaws to move the jaws toward the closed position and maintain the jaws with a selected gap therebetween with the extensions ion member in the second position;
• and
• wherein said first surfaces in the second position extend about laterally-outward second surfaces of said jaws.

A jaw assembly of a surgical instrument, comprising:

• an instrument working end carrying paired openable and closeable jaws, the jaws in the closed position defining a longitudinal axis;
• an extension member that is slidable from a first retracted position to a second extended position in a longitudinal channel within said paired jaws;
• said extension member having first surfaces that engage cooperating second surfaces of said paired jaws over a substantial longitudinal length of the jaws to move the jaws toward the closed position and maintain the jaws with a selected gap therebetween with the extensions ion member in the second position;
• and
• wherein a portion of said first surfaces comprises a conductor defining a first polarity and spaced apart portions of said extension member carry a conductor defining a second polarity.

A jaw assembly of a surgical instrument, comprising:

• an instrument working end carrying paired openable and closeable jaws, the jaws in the closed position defining a longitudinal axis;
• an extension member that is slidable from a first retracted position to a second extended position in a longitudinal channel within said paired jaws;
• said extension member having first surfaces that engage cooperating second surfaces of said paired jaws over a substantial longitudinal length of the jaws to move the jaws toward the closed position and maintain the jaws with a selected gap therebetween with the extensions ion member in the second position;
• and
• wherein inward portions of said first surfaces comprises a conductor defining a first polarity and laterally outward portions of said extension member carry a conductor defining a second polarity.