#$%^&*AU2007203637B220130516.pdf#####HANDHELD ELECTROSURGICAL INSTRUMENTS HAVING DISABABLE HANDSWITCHES Abstract The present disclosure provides for an electrosurgical forceps (10) for sealing 5 tissue. The forceps (10) comprises at least one handle (15, 17) having at least one shaft member (12a, 12b) attached thereto. The at least one shaft member (12a, 12b) having an end effector (100) attached at a distal end (16a, 16b) thereof. The end effector (100) includes a pair of jaw members (110, 120) being movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least one subsequent position wherein the jaw 10 members (110, 120) cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive sealing plate for communicating electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal, the electrically conductive sealing plates adapted to connect to an electrosurgical generator (20). The forceps (10) also include a handswitch (50) operatively coupled to at least one of the at least one handle is (15, 17) and the at least one shaft member (12a, 12b). The handswitch (50) is adapted to connect to the electrosurgical generator (20) and is selectively actuatable to initiate electrosurgical activation of the forceps (10). The forceps (10) further include a lockout switch (210) operatively coupled to at least one of the at least one handle (15, 19) and the at least one shaft member (12a, 12b). The lockout switch (210) is movable from a first 20 configuration wherein the lockout switch (210) allows actuation of the handswitch to a second configuration wherein the lockout switch (210) prevents actuation of the handswitch (50) and activation of the forceps (10).
