System configured to provide controlled depth of hemostasis

An electrosurgical system, comprising:

• a source of electrosurgical energy including at least one processor and a controller for controlling an electrosurgical output of the source of electrosurgical energy;
• an electrosurgical device, comprising:
• a handset having a shaft extending therefrom;
• a pair of electrodes disposed at a distal end of the shaft;
• and
• at least one sensor disposed at the distal end of the shaft and adjacent the pair of electrodes, the at least one sensor in operable communication with the pair of electrodes to detect a pressure applied thereto,
• wherein the amount of electrosurgical energy that is transmitted to the pair of electrodes is proportional to the amount of pressure that is applied to the pair of electrodes and detected by the sensor.

A method for electrosurgically treating tissue, comprising:

• providing an electrosurgical device including at least two electrodes and at least one sensor in operable communication with the at least two electrodes, the sensor configured to detect pressure applied to the at least two electrodes;
• detecting pressure applied to the at least two electrodes;
• and
• adjusting an electrosurgical output based on the detected pressure applied to the at least two electrodes, wherein the electrosurgical output provided to the at least two electrodes is related to the pressure that is applied to the at least two electrodes in a manner that yields increasing intensity of affect reflected by the power increasing faster than it would under a constant applied voltage.