Surgical Instrument with Partial Trigger Lockout

An apparatus for operating on tissue, the end effector comprising:

• (a) a shaft;
• and
• (b) an end effector, wherein the end effector comprises:
• (i) a first jaw,
• (ii) a second jaw movable relative to the first jaw to capture tissue between the first jaw and the second jaw,
• (iii) a firing beam, wherein the firing beam comprises a sharp distal end, wherein the firing beam is operable to sever the tissue captured between the first and second jaws, and
• (iv) a closure tube, wherein the closure tube is translatable relative to the shaft, wherein the closure tube is operable to drive the second jaw toward the first jaw;
• wherein the end effector is operable to apply bipolar RF energy to tissue captured between the first and second jaws after the closure tube is translated to drive the second jaw and prior to severing of tissue by the firing beam.

A method of operating an end effector, the end effector comprising a first jaw, a second jaw, a firing beam, and a lockout feature, wherein the second jaw is pivotable relative to the first jaw from an open position to a closed position, wherein the firing beam comprises a sharp distal end, wherein the firing beam is translatable between the first and second jaws, wherein the lockout feature is configured to prevent translation of the firing beam, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) advancing the firing beam from a proximal position to a first distal position to thereby pivot the second jaw relative to the first jaw to the closed position;
• (b) applying bipolar RF energy to the first and second jaws of the end effector;
• (c) actuating the lockout feature to allow further translation of the firing beam;
• and
• (d) advancing the firing beam from the first distal position to a second distal position to thereby sever tissue positioned between the first and second jaws.