An electrosurgical instrument comprising: a lower handle having a proximal end and a distal end, the lower handle comprising a lower handle housing having a cavity therein; an upper jaw coupled to the distal end of the lower handle, the upper jaw having at least one electrode; an upper handle having a proximal end and a distal end; and a lower jaw coupled to the distal end of the upper handle, the lower jaw pivotably connected to the upper jaw; characterized in the electrosurgical instrument further comprising: a support spring connected to the lower handle housing and enclosed within the cavity of the lower handle housing; a support arm having a proximal portion enclosed within the cavity of the lower handle housing and connected to the support spring, wherein: the handles (57, 58) are arranged to be brought together from an open position, where the jaws (10, 11) are open, to a closed position where the jaws (10, 11) are closed; and the handles (57, 58) are arranged to be brought closer together from the closed position to a fuse position, in which fuse position a portion of the lower handle is decoupled from the upper jaw with the upper and lower jaws (10, 11) being proximate each other in a closed position, in which position they are then held by the support spring applying a predetermined force to the upper and lower jaws (10, 11). a lower handle having a proximal end and a distal end, the lower handle comprising a lower handle housing having a cavity therein; an upper jaw coupled to the distal end of the lower handle, the upper jaw having at least one electrode; an upper handle having a proximal end and a distal end; and a lower jaw coupled to the distal end of the upper handle, the lower jaw pivotably connected to the upper jaw; characterized in the electrosurgical instrument further comprising: a support spring connected to the lower handle housing and enclosed within the cavity of the lower handle housing; a support arm having a proximal portion enclosed within the cavity of the lower handle housing and connected to the support spring, wherein: the handles (57, 58) are arranged to be brought together from an open position, where the jaws (10, 11) are open, to a closed position where the jaws (10, 11) are closed; and the handles (57, 58) are arranged to be brought closer together from the closed position to a fuse position, in which fuse position a portion of the lower handle is decoupled from the upper jaw with the upper and lower jaws (10, 11) being proximate each other in a closed position, in which position they are then held by the support spring applying a predetermined force to the upper and lower jaws (10, 11). a support spring connected to the lower handle housing and enclosed within the cavity of the lower handle housing; a support arm having a proximal portion enclosed within the cavity of the lower handle housing and connected to the support spring, wherein: the handles (57, 58) are arranged to be brought together from an open position, where the jaws (10, 11) are open, to a closed position where the jaws (10, 11) are closed; and the handles (57, 58) are arranged to be brought closer together from the closed position to a fuse position, in which fuse position a portion of the lower handle is decoupled from the upper jaw with the upper and lower jaws (10, 11) being proximate each other in a closed position, in which position they are then held by the support spring applying a predetermined force to the upper and lower jaws (10, 11). the handles (57, 58) are arranged to be brought together from an open position, where the jaws (10, 11) are open, to a closed position where the jaws (10, 11) are closed; and the handles (57, 58) are arranged to be brought closer together from the closed position to a fuse position, in which fuse position a portion of the lower handle is decoupled from the upper jaw with the upper and lower jaws (10, 11) being proximate each other in a closed position, in which position they are then held by the support spring applying a predetermined force to the upper and lower jaws (10, 11).