SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH EXTENDIBLE MONOPOLAR ELEMENT

The present disclosure relates to an electrosurgical instrument that includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom and an end effector assembly attached at the distal end of the shaft. The end effector assembly includes a monopolar element slidably disposed therein that is configured to move between a retracted position and an extended configuration. A monopolar activation switch is disposed within the housing and is configured to supply energy to the monopolar element upon actuation thereof. An actuating sleeve is moveable relative to the housing and is operably coupled to the monopolar element. The actuating sleeve is movable between a first position wherein the monopolar element is disposed in the retracted configuration and actuation of the monopolar activation switch is impeded and a second position wherein the monopolar element is disposed in the extended configuration and actuation of the monopolar activation switch is unimpeded.