Surgical instrument with dispensable components

A surgical instrument comprising:

• an elongated shaft defining an internal cavity;
• a plurality of electrodes restrained within the internal cavity of the elongated shaft;
• an end effector extending distally from the elongated shaft;
• an electrode receiving cavity defined in the end effector, the electrode receiving cavity configured for releasably receiving at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes from the internal cavity of the elongated shaft and for establishing an electrical connection between the at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes and a source of electrosurgical energy;
• and
• a dispensing mechanism configured to selectively permit and restrict passage of one electrode of the plurality of electrodes from the internal cavity of the elongated shaft into the electrode receiving cavity, wherein the dispensing mechanism includes at least one hook configured to selectively engage a distal portion of the one electrode, the at least one hook being movable between a laterally inward position where the hook restricts passage of the one electrode from the internal cavity of the elongated shaft into the electrode receiving cavity, and a laterally outward position where the hook permits passage of the one electrode from the internal cavity of the elongated shaft into the electrode receiving cavity.