Surgical instrument

1. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting and sealing tissue, the instrument comprising:

a) first and second jaw members in opposing relation relative to one another, the first jaw member having an inner surface adapted to cooperate with the inner surface of the second jaw member so as to be capable of grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members being movable with respect to the other such that the jaw members are selectively operable between an open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, and a closed position in which the inner surface of each jaw member cooperates so as to be capable of grasping tissue therebetween;

b) means for causing movement of the at least one jaw member so as to operate the jaw members between the open and closed positions;

c) the first jaw member including at least first and second coagulating electrodes on its inner surface, and an insulating member separating the first and second electrodes, the first and second electrodes being capable of being connected to opposite poles of an electrosurgical generator;

d) the first jaw member also including a third, cutting electrode on an outer surface separate from the inner surface, the third electrode also being capable of being connected to one pole of an electrosurgical generator; and

e) the second jaw member having a tissue-contacting surface which is electrically insulating over its entire surface;

such that the electrosurgical instrument is capable of selectively causing coagulation of tissue between the first and second electrodes, and/or the cutting of tissue contacted by the third electrode.

2. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating member and the first and second coagulating electrodes are flush with one another along the inner surface of the first jaw member.

3. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 2 , wherein the inner surface of the first jaw member presents a planar surface.

4. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the first jaw member comprises an electrically-insulating central portion constituting the insulating member, with electrically-conductive portions attached thereto on either side in order to constitute the first and second electrodes.

5. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the second jaw member is integrally formed of an electrically-insulating material.

6. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 5 , wherein the second jaw member is formed of an electrically-conductive material, and has an electrically-insulating portion attached thereto in order to form the tissue-contacting surface.

7. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the second jaw member is detachably connected to the first jaw member.

8. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 7 , wherein the second arm is capable of being clipped on to, and removed from, the first arm.

9. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second jaw members form part of first and second arms respectively.

10. An electro surgical instrument according to claim 9 , wherein the second arm is provided with a lumen extending from the distal end of the arm to the proximal end thereof, the lumen being capable of being connected to a source of suction.

11. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting and sealing tissue, the instrument comprising:

a) first and second jaw members in opposing relation relative to one another, the first jaw member having an inner surface adapted to cooperate with the inner surface of the second jaw member so as to be capable of grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members being movable with respect to the other such that the jaw members are selectively operable between an open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, and a closed position in which the inner surface of each jaw member cooperates so as to be capable of grasping tissue therebetween;

b) means for causing movement of the at least one jaw member so as to operate the jaw members between the open and closed positions;

c) the first jaw member including at least first and second coagulating electrodes on its inner surface, and an insulating member separating the first and second electrodes, the first and second electrodes being capable of being connected to opposite poles of an electrosurgical generator;

d) the first jaw member also including a third, cutting electrode on an outer surface separate from the inner surface, the third electrode also being capable of being connected to one pole of an electrosurgical generator; and

the second jaw member having a tissue-contacting surface which is electrically insulating over its entire surface;

the electrosurgical instrument being capable of selectively causing coagulation of tissue between the first and second electrodes, and/or the cutting of tissue contacted by the third electrode;

wherein the first jaw member comprises an electrically-insulating central portion constituting the insulating member, with electrically-conductive portions attached thereto on either side in order to constitute the first and second electrodes; and

wherein the electrically-insulating central portion extends through the first jaw member from the inner surface to the outer surface thereof.

12. An electrosurgical instrument according to claim 11 , wherein the electrically-insulating central portion has a longitudinal recess therein, in communication with the outer surface, and the third cutting electrode is located in the longitudinal recess.

13. A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for cutting and sealing tissue, the instrument comprising:

a) first and second jaw members in opposing relation relative to one another, the first jaw member having an inner surface adapted to cooperate with the inner surface of the second jaw member so as to be capable of grasping tissue therebetween, at least one of the jaw members being movable with respect to the other such that the jaw members are selectively operable between an open position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another, and a closed position in which the inner surface of each jaw member cooperates so as to be capable of grasping tissue therebetween;

b) means for causing movement of the at least one jaw member so as to operate the jaw members between the open and closed positions;

c) the first jaw member including at least first and second coagulating electrodes on its inner surface, and an insulating member separating the first and second electrodes, the first and second electrodes being capable of being connected to opposite poles of an electrosurgical generator;

the first jaw member also including a third, cutting electrode on an outer surface separate from the inner surface, the third electrode also being capable of being connected to one pole of an electrosurgical generator; and

the second jaw member having a tissue-contacting surface which is electrically insulating over its entire surface;

the electrosurgical instrument being capable of selectively causing coagulation of tissue between the first and second electrodes, and/or the cutting of tissue contacted by the third electrode;

wherein the second jaw is longitudinally movable between a first position in which the tissue contacting surface is adjacent to the inner surface of the first jaw member, and a second position in which the second jaw member is retracted proximally from the first jaw member.