A bipolar electrosurgical instrument, comprising: a first jaw member (110) disposed at a distal end of a first shaft (12a) and a second jaw member (120) disposed at a distal end of a second shaft (12b) a pivot (150) disposed on one of the first (110) or second (120) jaw members, the jaw members movable about the pivot (150) relative to one another a lead guide slot (155) defined in the second jaw member (120) and disposed in spaced relation to the pivot (150) a raceway (170) defined in the second jaw member (120) proximal to the pivot (150), the raceway (170) including a narrowed portion (172) and a broadened portion (174) and a first conductive lead (210a) adapted to connect to a first electrical potential and a second conductive lead (210b) adapted to connect to a second electrical potential, at least one of the first or second conductive leads routed through the narrowed portion (172) of the raceway (170).
