IN-LINE VESSEL SEALER AND DIVIDER Abstract An endoscopic forceps (10) includes a housing (20) having a shaft (12) attached thereto, the shaft (12) including a pair of jaw members (110, 120) disposed at a distal end 5 (16) thereof. The forceps (10) also includes a drive assembly (60) disposed in the housing (20) which moves the jaw members (110, 120) relative to one another from a first position wherein the jaw members (110, 120) are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members (110, 120) are closer to one another for manipulating tissue. A pair of handles (30a,b) is operatively connected to the 1o drive assembly (60) and the handles (30a,b) are movable relative to the housing (20) to actuate the drive assembly (60) to move the jaw members (110, 120). Each of the jaw members (110, 120) is adapted to connect to a source of electrical energy such that the jaw members (110, 120) are capable of conducting energy for treating tissue. The forceps (10) also includes a first switch (250) disposed on the housing (20) which is activatable to 5 selectively deliver energy of a first electrical potential to at least one jaw member (110, 120) for treating tissue in a monopolar fashion. A second switch (260) is disposed on the housing (20) and is activatable to selectively deliver energy of a first electrical potential to one jaw member (110, 120) and selectively deliver energy of a second electrical potential to the other jaw member (110, 120) for treating tissue in a bipolar fashion. 8K C~j co
