#$%^&*AU2006201300B220120209.pdf#####ELECTROSURGICAL FORCEPS WITH SLOW CLOSURE SEALING PLATES AND METHOD OF SEALING TISSUE Abstract An Electrosurgical bipolar forceps (10) for sealing tissue is disclosed which 5 includes at least one shaft member (12) having a jaw member (110, 120) disposed at a distal end (14) thereof. The jaw members (110, 120) are movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw members (110, 120) cooperate to grasp tissue (400) therebetween. Each of the jaw members (110, 120) including a sealing plate (112, 122) which communicates 10 electrosurgical energy through tissue (400) held therebetween. At least one of the sealing plates (112, 122) includes one or more adjustable stop members (150) coupled to one or more controllers (155). The adjustable stop member(s) (150) are adapted for separating the sealing plates (112, 122) by a predetermined gap distance and the controller(s) (155) adapted for adjusting the adjustable stop member(s) (150) to close the sealing plates (112, 15 122) at a predetermined rate.2/9 V-0K CI CNI %4/
