A surgical system including a cartridge having a first tissue sealing electrode and a surgical instrument including a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the first jaw comprises a second tissue sealing electrode facing the second jaw, and wherein the second jaw is configured to removably receive the cartridge in a position where the first tissue sealing electrode is opposite the second tissue sealing electrode. The surgical system further includes a cut and seal controller, wherein the cut and seal controller automatically generates a command to the surgical instrument to reduce a clamping force between the first and the second jaws after sensing that tissue sealing is complete.
