An electrode assembly for use with an instrument for sealing and/or cutting tissue, the electrode assembly comprising:a pair of opposing first and second jaw members, each jaw member including first and second spaced apart electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface being adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the tissue sealing surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetweenan insulator disposed adjacent to each of the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfacesthe first jaw member including an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within the insulator of the first jaw member and between the first and second sealing surfaces of the first jaw member, the electrically conductive cutting element disposed in general vertical registration to the insulator on the second jaw member and defining at least one cutting zone between respective ones of the first and second sealing surfaces of the first jaw member and the cutting elementwherein at least one of the first and second tissue sealing surfaces of the first jaw member includes a sealing section operatively connected to a flange, the or each flange being configured to control a gap distance between the tissue sealing surfaces of the first jaw member and the tissue sealing surfaces of the second jaw member anda second insulator adjacent said flange, between that flange and the sealing section to which it is operatively connected, and dimensioned to reduce stray currents and heat dissipation inwardly towards the cutting zone defined by that flange,wherein said flange and the cutting element defines the said cutting zone disposed inwardly of said flange.
