An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft affixed to
the housing. The shaft includes a longitudinal axis defined therethrough
and a pair of jaw members attached to a distal end thereof. The forceps
also includes a drive assembly for moving one of the jaw members relative
to the other jaw member. A movable handle is included which moves the jaw
members from the open and closed positions. The forceps is adapted to
connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the jaw members
are capable of conducting bipolar energy through tissue held therebetween
to effect a tissue seal. A trigger assembly is operatively disposed
relative to the movable handle for selectively advancing a knife assembly
for cutting tissue along the tissue seal. The knife assembly includes a
knife collar which cooperates with a knife shaft to advance a knife
through tissue upon activation of the trigger assembly.