Vessel sealing instrument

A method for routing electrical leads through a bipolar electrosurgical instrument, the method comprising:

• forming first and second shafts with respective handles at proximal ends thereof and an end effector having two pivotably coupled jaw members at a distal end thereof, wherein at least one of the jaw members includes a pivot member integrally formed thereon, the pivot member configured to receive one of a first conductive lead and a second conductive lead therethrough;
• and
• coupling the first and second leads to at least one of the first and second shafts and routing each of the first and second conductive leads therethrough, wherein one of the first and second conductive leads is coupled directly to one of the jaw members and the other one of the first and second conductive leads is routed through the pivot member and to the other jaw member;
• wherein the forming step includes forming the pivot member at a proximal end of the jaw member, wherein the pivot member includes at least two spaced-apart members configured to receive at least one of the first and second conductive leads routed through the pivot member, the at least two spaced-apart members including a generally semi-cylindrical shape.

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:

• first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about an integrally formed bifurcated pivot member that is supported on one of the jaw members, the jaw members movable 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 proximal shaft connector operably couples to at least one of the first and second shafts and is configured to connect the bipolar electrosurgical instrument to a source of electrosurgical energy providing first and second electrical potentials to the bipolar electrosurgical instrument;
• and
• an electrosurgical cable including a first conductive lead adapted to connect to the first electrical potential and a second conductive lead adapted to connect to the second electrical potential, at least one of the first and second conductive leads extending through the pivot member to connect to a respective jaw member;
• wherein the pivot member includes at least two spaced-apart members configured to receive at least one of the first and second conductive leads therethrough, the at least two spaced-apart members including a generally semi-cylindrical shape.

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:

• first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about an integrally formed bifurcated pivot member that is supported on one of the jaw members, the jaw members movable 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 proximal shaft connector operably couples to at least one of the first and second shafts and is configured to connect the bipolar electrosurgical instrument to a source of electrosurgical energy providing first and second electrical potentials to the bipolar electrosurgical instrument;
• and
• an electrosurgical cable including a first conductive lead adapted to connect to the first electrical potential and a second conductive lead adapted to connect to the second electrical potential, at least one of the first and second conductive leads extending through the pivot member to connect to a respective jaw member;
• wherein the pivot member includes at least two spaced-apart members configured to receive at least one of the first and second conductive leads therethrough, the at least two spaced-apart members configured to engage an opening defined in at least one of the jaw members.

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising:

• first and second shafts each having a jaw member extending from a distal end thereof and a handle disposed at a proximal end thereof for effecting movement of the jaw members relative to one another about an integrally formed bifurcated pivot member that is supported on one of the jaw members, the jaw members movable 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 proximal shaft connector operably couples to at least one of the first and second shafts and is configured to connect the bipolar electrosurgical instrument to a source of electrosurgical energy providing first and second electrical potentials to the bipolar electrosurgical instrument;
• and
• an electrosurgical cable including a first conductive lead adapted to connect to the first electrical potential and a second conductive lead adapted to connect to the second electrical potential, at least one of the first and second conductive leads extending through the pivot member to connect to a respective jaw member;
• wherein the pivot member is operably disposed at a proximal end of one of the jaw members and a longitudinal groove is defined in and operably disposed along a length of the proximal end of the jaw member that includes the pivot member, the longitudinal groove disposed in substantial alignment with an opposing longitudinal knife channel operably disposed along a respective length of the jaw members.