Electrosurgical instrument with multi-stage actuator

An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) an end effector operable to manipulate tissue;
• (b) a shaft in communication with the end effector, wherein the shaft comprises a firing beam operable to actuate a portion of the end effector;
• and
• (c) a handpiece in communication with the end effector, wherein the handpiece comprises:
• (i) a pivoting trigger, wherein the pivoting trigger is configured to distally advance the firing beam, wherein the pivoting trigger comprises a first pivoting arm, and
• (ii) a lockout assembly movable between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the lockout assembly comprises a second pivoting arm,
• wherein the second pivoting arm is configured to engage the first pivoting arm and thereby block pivoting of the first pivoting arm when the lockout assembly is in the locked state,
• wherein the second pivoting arm is configured to disengage the first pivoting arm and thereby enable pivoting of the first pivoting arm when the lockout assembly is in the unlocked state.

An apparatus for operating on tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) an end effector operable to compress tissue, wherein the end effector is further operable to deliver RF energy to tissue;
• (b) a shaft in communication with the end effector, wherein the shaft comprises a firing beam, wherein the firing beam is movable through a first range of motion to compress tissue, wherein the firing beam movable through a second range of motion to sever tissue compressed by the end effector;
• and
• (c) a handpiece in communication with the end effector, wherein the handpiece comprises:
• (i) a pivoting trigger, wherein the pivoting trigger is operable to drive the firing beam,
• (ii) an activation button operable to selectively activate RF energy at the end effector, and
• (iii) a lockout assembly operable to transition between a first state and a second state,
• wherein the lockout assembly is configured to permit the firing beam to move through the first range of motion yet prevent the firing beam from moving through the first range of motion when the lockout assembly is in the first state,
• wherein the lockout assembly is configured to permit the firing beam to move through the second range of motion when the lockout assembly is in the second state,
• wherein the activation button is operable to switch the lockout assembly from the first state to the second state.