#$%^&*AU2013205348B220150723.pdf#####ENDOSCOPIC VESSEL SEALER AND DIVIDER HAVING A FLEXIBLE ARTICULATING SHAFT ABSTRACT An electrosurgical instrument (10) for treating tissue, comprising a housing (20) having a shaft (12) extending therefrom having an axis A-A defined therethrough. The shaft being at least partially flexible about a flexible portion and including first and second jaw members (110, 120) attached at a distal end thereof Each jaw member including an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. A drive assembly (150) is disposed in the housing and includes a first actuator operably coupled to a drive rod (142) for reciprocation thereof wherein actuation of the first actuator reciprocates the drive rod which, in turn, moves the first and second jaw members from a first position in spaced relation to one another to a second position closer to one another for engaging tissue. A second actuator is disposed on the housing being actuatable to articulate the first and second jaw members between an axially aligned condition wherein the first and second jaw members are aligned with the axis (A-A), and an articulated condition wherein the first and second jaw members are displaced in a direction transverse to the axis (A-A).
