#$%^&*AU2007203268B220130418.pdf#####VESSEL SEALING INSTRUMENT WITH PRE-HEATED ELECTRODES Abstract An electrode assembly (405) having a pair of opposing first and second jaw 5 members (410, 420) is provided. Each jaw member (410, 420) includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing surface (422, 432) extending along a length thereof, each tissue sealing surface (422, 432) is adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy (51) such that the tissue sealing surfaces (422, 432) are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a seal. The assembly (405) includes at 1o least one heating element (424, 434) disposed within at least one of the jaw members (410, 420). The heating element (424, 434) is configured to pre-heat the electrically conductive tissue sealing surfaces (422, 432) before electrosurgical energy is applied. 868484-1:KEH4/11 410 (405 422 424 432 ~ ~ ~ ',~- 3 420 FIG. 4 505 .527 513 524a + + 524b 522a-- 522b 532a- ~ + 532b 534a 52 7b 523 '-54 FIG. 5
