Electrosurgical instrument which reduces thermal damage to adjacent tissue

An electrode sealing assembly designed for use with an electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue, comprising:

• first and second jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one second position for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including:
• an electrically insulative housing having at least one electromechanical interface;
• an electrically conductive sealing plate having at least one corresponding electromechanical interface which mates with the electromechanical interface of the insulative housing, at least one of the sealing plates of at least one of the jaw members including at least one stop member which extends therefrom;
• and first and second thermally conductive, electrically non-conductive segments disposed between the insulative housing and the electrically conductive sealing plate, the thermally conductive, electrically non-conductive segments being joinable to encapsulate and secure the sealing plate to the insulative housing,
• wherein the thermally conductive, electrically non-conductive material of at least one jaw member includes projections that extend laterally therefrom,
• wherein the electrically insulative housing of at least one jaw member includes a support step that extends relative to an upper surface of the insulative housing, the support step dimensioned to support the sealing plate thereon.

An electrode sealing assembly designed for use with an electrosurgical instrument for sealing tissue, comprising:

• first and second jaw members being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one second position for grasping tissue therebetween, each of the jaw members including:
• an electrically conductive sealing plate;
• and a thermally conductive, electrically non-conductive material being configured to engage a side of the sealing plate,
• wherein the thermally conductive, electrically non-conductive material of at least one jaw member includes projections that extend laterally therefrom,
• wherein an electrically insulative housing operably associated with at least one jaw member includes a support step that extends relative to an upper surface of the insulative housing, the support step dimensioned to support the sealing plate thereon.