Electrosurgical instrument which reduces collateral damage to adjacent tissue

An electrode assembly for use with an electrosurgical instrument having a handle and at least one shaft for effecting movement of a pair of opposing end effectors relative to one another, comprising:

• a housing having at least one portion that removably engages at least one of the handle and the shaft, the housing including a bifurcated distal end that forms two prongs that each removably attach to one of the end effectors;
• and
• a pair of electrodes each supported on one of the two prongs and each having an electrically conductive sealing surface defining a radius along an outer periphery thereof and having a first geometric shape and a corresponding insulating substrate operably coupled to each sealing surface and having a second geometric shape, each insulating substrate including a mechanical interface configured to removably couple the corresponding sealing surface to a respective opposing end effector such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another,
• wherein each of the electrically conductive sealing surfaces of the electrodes is configured in a raised position relative to a corresponding insulative substrate such that the corresponding insulating substrate meets the outer periphery of the respective electrically conductive sealing surface to form an adjoining edge that tracks along the radius to reduce current concentrations between the opposing electrodes.