US Patent 7628792 Bilateral foot jaws

A surgical instrument is provided and includes a drive rod assembly having a hollow shaft portion. A central shaft is slidably disposed in and axially aligned with the hollow shaft portion. The instrument may further include a handle assembly coupled to hollow shaft portion and the central shaft of the drive rod assembly. A pair of opposing jaw members each operatively associated with the distal end of the hollow shaft portion, the jaw members being movable relative to one another between a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another and a second position wherein the jaw members are approximated towards one another. The instrument may further include a source of electrical energy connected to each jaw member for conducting energy therebetween.