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A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has opposable seal surfaces on its jaws for grasping and sealing vessels and vascular tissue. Inner and outer instrument members allow arcuate motion of the seal surfaces. An open lockbox provides a pivot with lateral support to maintain alignment of the lateral

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has opposable seal surfaces on its jaws for grasping and sealing vessels and vascular tissue. Inner and outer instrument members allow arcuate motion of the seal surfaces. An open lockbox provides a pivot with lateral support to maintain alignment of the lateral surfaces. Ratchets on the instrument members hold a constant closure force on the tissue during the seal process. A shank portion on each member is tuned to provide an appropriate spring force to hold the seal surfaces together. During surgery, the instrument can be used to grasp and clamp vascular tissue and apply bipolar electrosurgical current through the clamped tissue. In one embodiment, the seal surfaces are partially insulated to prevent a short circuit when the instrument jaws are closed together. In another embodiment, the seal surfaces are removably mounted on the jaws.

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1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising: inner and outer members each including an opposable sealing surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the opposable sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one an

1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising: inner and outer members each including an opposable sealing surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the opposable sealing surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the opposable sealing surfaces grasp tissue therebetween; at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the inner and outer members to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the opposable sealing surfaces are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween; a stop operatively associated with at least one of the opposable sealing surfaces to maintain a minimum separation distance between the opposable sealing surfaces; and a ratchet disposed on one of the members and at least one complimentary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the other of the members, the ratchet and the complimentary interlocking mechanical interface providing at least one interlocking position to maintain a closure pressure in the range of about 3 kg/cm 2to about 16 kg/cm2between opposable sealing surfaces.2. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the closure pressure is in the range of about 4 kg/cm2to about 6.5 kg/cm2.3. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the ratchet disposed on one of the members includes a plurality of complimentary interlocking mechanical interfaces on the other of the members, each of the complimentary interlocking mechanical interfaces being positioned to maintain a predeterminable closure pressure between opposable sealing surfaces within the range of about 3 kg/cm2to about 16 kg/cm2.4. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 3 wherein the ratchet includes several selectable levels of pressure ranging from a high level of pressure for sealing large vessels to a lower level of pressure for sealing smaller vessels.5. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 3 wherein the ratchet is made from an electrically insulative material.6. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 3 wherein the ratchet is electrically isolated from the inner and outer members.7. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 3 wherein the ratchet includes an insulative coating.8. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the opposable sealing surfaces has a radiused edge.9. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein each of the opposable sealing surfaces includes a conductive region and an insulative region and wherein at least one conductive region of one of the sealing surfaces opposes at least one insulative region of the other of the sealing surfaces.10. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the opposable sealing surfaces is removably engagable with one of the inner and outer members.11. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 further comprising an insulative coating disposed on the inner and outer members.12. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the stop is made from an electrically insulative material.13. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the inner and outer members include curved jaw members disposed at a distal end thereof and handles disposed at a proximal end thereof.14. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 13 wherein the opposable sealing surfaces are removably engagable with the jaw members.15. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument according to claim 13 further comprising an insulative coating disposed on an outer surface of the jaw members.16. A bipolar electrosurgical system, comprising: an electrosurgical generator for generating electrosurgical energy; a forceps including inner and outer members each having a tissue contacting surface disposed th ereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces grasp tissue therebetween; at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the forceps to the electrosurgical generator such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; a ratchet disposed on one of the members having at least one complimentary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the other of the members, the ratchet and the complimentary interlocking mechanical interface providing at least one interlocking position to maintain a closure pressure between tissue contacting surfaces; and means for regulating the electrosurgical energy to the tissue as a function of at least one of: impedance of the output load on the electrosurgical generator; phase angle between the output voltage and the output current; output current flowing through the tissue; and temperature of the tissue. 17. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 16 wherein the regulating means includes a feedback control system disposed within the generator.18. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 16 wherein the regulating means monitors the impedance on the electrosurgical generator and terminates the electrosurgical energy once the impedance reaches a predetermined level.19. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 18 wherein the predetermined level is above 1000 ohms.20. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 16 wherein the regulating means monitors the phase angle between the output voltage and the current emanating from the electrosurgical generator and terminates the electrosurgical energy once the phase angle reaches a predetermined angle.21. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 20 wherein the predetermined angle is greater than about 50 degrees.22. A bipolar electrosurgical system, comprising: an electrosurgical generator; a forceps including inner and outer members each having a tissue contacting surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces grasp tissue therebetween; at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the forceps to the electrosurgical generator such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; a ratchet disposed on one of the members having at least one complimentary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the other of the members, the ratchet and the complimentary interlocking mechanical interface providing at least one interlocking position to maintain a closure pressure between tissue contacting surfaces; and wherein the electrosurgical generator includes a feedback control which monitors the impedance of the tissue and adjusts the electrosurgical energy accordingly to minimize damage to the tissue. 23. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 22 wherein the feedback control includes an audible indicator.24. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 22 wherein the feedback control reduces at least one of charring and sticking of the tissue.25. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 22 wherein the feedback control limits arcing.26. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 22 wherein the inner and outer members include exposed outer surfaces, the exposed outer surfaces having an insulating material sprayed thereon.27. A bipolar electrosurgical system, comprising: an electrosurgical generator; a forceps including inner and outer members each having a tissue contacting surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces grasp tissue therebetween; at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the forceps to the electrosurgical generator such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween; a ratchet disposed on one of the members having at least one complimentary interlocking mechanical interface disposed on the other of the members, the ratchet and the complimentary interlocking mechanical interface providing at least one interlocking position to maintain a closure pressure between tissue contacting surfaces; and wherein the electrosurgical generator includes means for controlling the level of electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue, wherein the controlling means supplies energy in stages to minimize thermal damage to tissue. 28. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 27 wherein the controlling means allows tissue to cool between stages.29. A bipolar electrosurgical system according to claim 27 wherein the controlling means reduces the supply of electrosurgical energy to the forceps between stages to cool the tissue to minimize thermal damage to tissue.30. A method for sealing tissue utilizing a bipolar electrosurgical system, comprising the steps of: providing: an electrosurgical generator including means for controlling the level of electrosurgical energy delivered to the tissue;a forceps including inner and outer members each having a tissue contacting surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the forceps to the electrosurgical generator such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween;a ratchet for maintaining selectable closure forces between tissue contacting surfaces; grasping tissue between opposing tissue contacting surfaces; engaging the ratchet to apply a selectable closure force between tissue contacting surfaces; initially delivering electrosurgical energy to the tissue up to a first impedance breakpoint; maintaining electrosurgical energy to the tissue until the tissue collagen reaches a melting point; and lowering electrosurgical energy to the tissue to a second impedance breakpoint. 31. A method for sealing tissue according to claim 30 wherein the first impedance breakpoint is about 16 ohms.32. A method for sealing tissue according to claim 31 wherein the second impedance breakpoint is about 2048 ohms.33. A method for sealing tissue according to claim 30 wherein the electrosurgical energy includes a current having a value greater than two amperes.34. A method for sealing tissue according to claim 30 wherein after the step of lowering the electrosurgical energy to the tissue, the method further comprises the steps of: substantially terminating electrosurgical energy to the tissue; allowing the tissue to cool into a fused mass; releasing the ratchet. 35. A method for sealing tissue according to claim 34 wherein the generator of said providing step includes an audible indicator which signals completion of the sealing process and between the step of allowing the tissue to cool into a fused mass and releasing the ratchet, the method further comprises the step of: awaiting audible indication from the generator. 36. A method for sealing tissue utilizing a bipolar electrosurgical system, comprising the steps of: providing: an electrosurgical generator including means for controlling the level of electrosurgical current delivered to the tissue;a forceps including inner and outer members each having a tissue contacting surface disposed thereon, the inner and outer members being movable from a first position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces are disposed in spaced apart relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the tissue contacting surfaces grasp tissue therebetween;at least one connector adapted to electrically couple the forceps to the electrosurgical generator such that the tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical current through tissue held therebetween;a ratchet for maintaining selectable closure forces between tissue contacting surfaces; grasping tissue between opposing tissue contacting surfaces; engaging the ratchet to apply a selectable closure force between tissue contacting surfaces; initially delivering electrosurgical current through the tissue, the current having a value greater than two amperes; maintaining electrosurgical current through the tissue until the tissue collagen reaches a melting point; and lowering electrosurgical current through the tissue to allow the tissue to cool to form a permanent seal of the vessel.