40 extends through opening 53 in outer tube 51 first contact insulator 40 electrically isolates contact 42 from closure tube 50 second instrument electrode contact 43 which is connected to and in electrical contact with closure tube 50 extends through a second opening not shown in outer tube 51 in an alternate electrosurgical instrument contact 43 could be connected to an electrode on end effector 57 by an insulated wire which runs through closure tube 50 and in such an instrument closure tube 50 may be constructed of an insulating material conductor 48 passes through closure tube 51 from electrode assembly 52 to first instrument electrode contact 40 electrically connecting electrode assembly 52 to contact 40 electrode assembly 58 is positioned in anvil 58 electrode assembly 52 may be electrically insulated from anvil 58 and closure tube 50 to prevent electrode assembly 52 from shorting to anvil 58 or closure tube 50 conductor 48 may be insulated to prevent it from shorting with closure tube 50 or any of the mechanism in closure tube 50 in the cordless electrosurgical instrument illustrated in fig4 and 5 knife 90 is connected to wedge assembly 82 and wedge assembly 82 is connected to firing rod 84 which in turn is operatively connected to firing trigger 76 closure tube 50 is.