Vessel sealing instrument

1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery, 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 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, the first jaw member being adapted to connect to a first electrical potential and the second jaw member being adapted to connect to a second electrical potential such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal;

wherein the first and second electrical potentials are transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft, the first electrical potential being transmitted by a lead having a terminal end which interfaces with a distal connector to connect one of the jaw members to the first electrical potential; and

wherein the distal connector includes a spring washer which acts as an electrical intermediary between the terminal end and the jaw member.

2. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 1 , wherein the second electrical potential is transmitted through the first shaft by a tube disposed within the first shaft which connects the other jaw member to the second electrical potential.

3. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 2 wherein the lead is fed to the distal connector through the tube and the lead includes an insulative coating which surrounds a wire-like electrical conductor to insulate the wire-like electrical conductor from the tube during activation.

4. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 1 wherein the spring washer is dimensioned to enhance the electrical interface between the terminal end and the jaw member.

5. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 4 wherein the spring washer is dimensioned to rotate relative the terminal end during movement of the jaw members from the first to second positions to provide a self-cleaning, enhanced electrical contact between the terminal end and the jaw member.

6. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 1 wherein the distal connector is made from an insulative substrate and is interposed between the jaw members for electrically isolating the first and second potentials.

7. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 6 wherein the distal connector includes a first surface having at least one recess defined therein which is dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the terminal end.

8. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the jaw members includes a skirt which is dimensioned to prevent exposure of the terminal end when the jaw members are disposed in the first position, the second position and during operative movement therebetween.

9. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 1 wherein the terminal end includes a flat-formed wire.

10. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 9 wherein the jaw members are connected by a pivot and the flat-formed wire is dimensioned to substantially encircle a boss extending from the distal connector which receives the pivot.

11. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 1 wherein the jaw members are connected by a pivot and the distal connector includes a boss extending therefrom which is designed to electrically insulate the terminal end from the pivot.

12. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery, comprising:

first and second shafts each having a jaw member pivotable about a pivot pin and 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 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, each of the jaw members including an electrically conductive sealing surface adapted to connect to an electrical energy source wherein a first electrical potential is connected to one of the jaw members and a second electrical potential is connected to the other of the jaw members such that the jaw members are capable of selectively conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal;

the first and second electrical potentials being transmitted to the jaw members through the first shaft wherein the first electrical potential is transmitted by a lead having a terminal end which electrically interfaces with one of the jaw members; and

a spring washer disposed between the terminal end and one of the jaw members, the spring washer being dimensioned to rotate relative the terminal end during movement of the jaw members from the first to second positions to provide a self-cleaning, enhanced electrical contact between the terminal end and the jaw member.

13. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 12 wherein the second electrical potential is transmitted through the first shaft by a tube disposed within the first shaft which connects the other jaw member to the second electrical potential.

14. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 12 further comprising an insulator disposed between the jaw members for electrically isolating the first and second potentials.

15. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 12 wherein the terminal end includes a flat-formed wire.

16. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for use in open surgery according to claim 12 further comprising at least one non-conductive stop member located distally from the pivot pin and operatively associated with at least one of the jaw members to control the distance between the jaw members when tissue is held therebetween.