An endoscopic forceps for vessel sealing is disclosed which comprises a housing and a shaft (302) extending from the housing including a distal end (302a) configured and adapted to support an end effector assembly (300a). The end effector assembly is operatively supported on the distal end of the shaft. The end effector assembly includes a pair of jaw members (310a,310b) movable from a first position in spaced relation relative to one another to at least a second position closer to one another for grasping tissue therebetween. Each of the jaw members is adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source such that the pair of jaw members are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to affect a tissue seal. An outer sleeve (304a) is translatably disposed about the shaft. The sleeve has a first position in which the sleeve does not cover the pair of jaw members, and a plurality of second positions in which the sleeve covers at least a portion of the pair of jaw members to approximate the pair of jaw members at least partially toward one another. A linkage (330) is operatively connected to at least one of the pair of jaw members for pivoting the pair of jaw members about a common pivot axis. A movable handle is operatively associated with the housing. Actuation of the movable handle relative to the housing results in movement of the outer sleeve relative to the pair of jaw members to actuate the end effector assembly between the first and any of the second positions.
