Tissue welding and cutting apparatus and method

A surgical apparatus for welding and severing tissue comprising:

• a proximal end and a distal end;
• a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw is relatively movable with respect to the second jaw, wherein the first and second jaws extend from the distal end and wherein each of the jaws comprises a jaw-facing surface;
• wherein the first jaw further comprises:
• a soft material insulator that resists tissue adhesion and at least partially forms an exterior surface of the first jaw;
• a first heating element supported on the soft material insulator, wherein the first heating element is configured for welding tissue and at least partially forms a tissue clamping surface of the first jaw, the first heating element being adapted to heat up to a first temperature upon application of power, wherein a distal end of the first heating element bends over a distal end of the soft material insulator, and is at least partially positioned within an opening defined in the distal end of the soft material insulator;
• and
• a second heating element supported on the soft material insulator, wherein the second heating element is configured for severing tissue and at least partially forms the tissue clamping surface of the first jaw, the second heating element being adapted to heat up to a second temperature greater than the first temperature upon application of power.

A surgical apparatus comprising:

• a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end comprising a handle;
• a first jaw and a second jaw mounted at the distal end, wherein the first jaw is relatively movable with respect to the second jaw;
• a soft insulating material of the first or second jaws that resists tissue adhesion and at least partially surrounds an inner jaw member of the first or second jaws;
• a first elongate heating element configured for welding tissue, the first heating element being adapted to heat up to a first temperature upon application of power, wherein the soft insulating material of the first or second jaws is located between and directly against the first elongate heating element and the inner jaw member of the first jaw along substantially an entire length of the first elongate heating element;
• and
• a second elongate heating element configured for severing tissue, the second heating element being adapted to heat up to a second temperature greater than the first temperature upon application of power, wherein the soft insulating material of the first or second jaws is located between a portion of the second elongate heating element and the inner jaw member of the second jaw.