Patent ID: 8262655

Claim:
A surgical instrument, comprising: a housing; a jaw movably connected to said housing, wherein said jaw is selectively pivotable between: an open position; a closed position; and a range of positions between said open position and said closed position, and wherein said jaw includes an electrode comprising: a tissue-contacting portion; and an engaging portion; and a conductor comprising a contact portion, wherein said engaging portion of said electrode moves relative to said contact portion as said jaw pivots between said open position and said closed position, wherein said engaging portion mates with said contact portion when said jaw has pivoted to said closed position, wherein said conductor is in electrical communication with said electrode when said jaw is in said closed position, and wherein said conductor is not in electrical communication with said electrode when said jaw is pivoting within said range of positions as said engaging portion of said electrode is not in contact with said contact portion of said conductor.