Vessel sealer and divider

An endoscopic bipolar forceps for sealing and dividing tissue, comprising:

• an elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being movable relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween, each jaw member including an electrically conductive sealing surface having a non-stick coating disposed thereon to reduce tissue adherence;
• each jaw member adapted to electrically couple to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal;
• a handle assembly being dimensioned to maintain a closure pressure in the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2 between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces, said handle assembly including a handle, a cam-like piston, a connective link and a fixed handle which together form a four-bar mechanical linkage which mutually cooperate to impart a uniform closure pressure against the tissue grasped between the jaw members;
• a longitudinally reciprocating knife disposed within the elongated shaft, the knife being selectively advanceable to sever tissue proximate the seal;
• at least one non-conductive stop member operatively associated with the electrically conductive surface of at least one of the jaw members, the at least one non-conductive stop member being dimensioned to control the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween, wherein the at least one non-conductive stop member creates a gap between the electrically conductive sealing surfaces within the range of about 0.001 inches to about 0.006 inches;
• and a trigger assembly which operatively connects to said knife, said trigger assembly being selectively movable to actuate said knife, wherein a distal end of said connective link of said four-bar mechanical linkage prevents actuation of said trigger assembly when said jaw members are disposed in said first open position.