Vessel sealer and divider with non-conductive stop members

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

• at least one elongated shaft having opposing jaw members at a distal end thereof, the jaw members being independently movable with respect to the elongated shaft, the jaw members having a length and 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;
• a drive rod assembly which connects the jaw members to a source of electrical energy such that the first jaw member has a first electrical potential and the second jaw member has a second electrical potential and the jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal;
• a handle attached to the drive rod assembly for imparting movement of the first and second jaw members from the first and second positions;
• at least one non-conductive and spaced-apart stop member disposed on an inner facing surface of at least one of the jaw members which controls the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween and wherein the distance between clamped jaw members is substantially uniform along the length of the jaw members;
• a knife selectively movable from a first position relative to the elongated shaft to a second position more distal to the elongated shaft to sever tissue along the tissue seal;
• and
• a trigger which mechanically activates the knife for severing tissue proximate the tissue seal.