Endoscopic bipolar electrosurgical forceps

A bipolar endoscopic instrument (10) for sealing tissue, comprising: a handle (18); an elongated drive rod (70) having distal (72) and proximal (71) ends; a pair of first and second jaw members (80, 82) being disposed in electromechanical communication with the elongated drive rod and being movable upon reciprocation of the elongated drive rod from a first position wherein the jaw members are disposed in spaced relation relative to one another to a second position wherein the jaw members cooperate to conduct bipolar energy through tissue (150) held therebetween; a resilient arm (40) disposed within the handle for receiving the proximal end of the elongated drive rod for longitudinal and rotational movement within the handle; and at least one stop member (139) attached to at least one of the jaw members for controlling the distance between opposing jaw members during sealing.