Energy-based surgical instruments including an insulated electrode

An end effector of a surgical instrument, the end effector comprising:

• a jaw assembly including a first jaw clamp and a second jaw clamp;
• a surgical blade extendable from the jaw assembly from a retracted position to an extended position, wherein the surgical blade includes an electrode having an active region and an inactive region, wherein the electrode is configured to produce radio frequency (RF) energy in response to activation;
• and
• an insulative sheath positioned around the surgical blade and extendable from a retracted position in which the active region of the electrode of the surgical blade is exposed and an extended position in which the active region of the electrode is covered by the insulative sheath.

A method for operating a surgical instrument, the method comprising:

• moving an insulative sheath to a retracted position to expose an electrode of a surgical blade of the surgical instrument;
• activating the electrode while the insulative sheath is in the retracted position to generate an amount of radio frequency energy;
• and
• moving the insulative sheath, after activating of the electrode, to an extended position to cover the electrode with the insulative sheath.