Electrosurgical instruments and connections thereto

An electrosurgical system comprising

• an electrosurgical instrument comprising a first jaw pivotably coupled to a second jaw, the first and second jaws movable between a spaced position with the first and second jaws spaced from each other and a proximate position with the first and second jaws proximate to each other to capture tissue between the first and second jaws, the first jaw comprising an inner surface and the second jaw comprising an inner surface facing the inner surface of the first jaw, the first jaw comprising a first electrode on the inner surface of the first jaw and a second electrode connected to the first jaw and extendable from a first position within the first jaw to a second position outside the first jaw when the first and second jaws are in the proximate position, the first electrode being electrically connected to the second electrode;
• and
• an electrosurgical unit removably connected to the electrosurgical instrument and comprising a radio frequency (RF) amplifier configured to supply RF energy to the first and second electrodes to coagulate and cut tissue.