A method of controlling the application of energy to a radio frequency (RF) instrument based on a surgical technique may include activating the instrument for a first period T1, during which time a portion of an end effector contacts a tissue, plotting at least two electrical parameters associated with the tissue to classify an amount of the end effector in contact with the tissue, applying a classification algorithm to classify the amount of the end effector in contact with the tissue, and applying an amount of energy to the end effector based on the amount of the end effector in contact with the tissue. The parameters may include a minimum impedance of the tissue and an amount of time that the impedance slope is ∼0. The end effector may contact the tissue with a tip end or with an entire surface.
