A bipolar electrical device, comprising: an outer shaft defining a lumen extending along a central axis, a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein the distal end forms a cutting window open to the lumen; an inner shaft rotatably disposed within the lumen of the outer shaft about the central axis, the inner shaft defining a distal portion forming a cutting tip; wherein the cutting tip and the cutting window combine to define a cutting implement; and first and second electrically isolated electrode surfaces (418, 420) formed at the cutting implement; and characterized in that the outer shaft forms the first electrode surface; and further comprising a second electrode body receiving and secured to the outer shaft and defining the second electrode surface; and an irrigation channel extending parallel to the outer shaft, the irrigation channel terminating in at least one outlet port, the outlet port(s) proximally spaced from the cutting window and located radially outside of the outer shaft and further comprising an electrical insulator disposed over the outer shaft to electrically isolate the outer shaft and the second electrode body, wherein at a surface of the cutting window is free of the electrical insulator such that at least a portion of the cutting window defines at least a portion of the first electrode surface; and further comprising an insulating layer disposed about the second electrode body and the outer shaft; and wherein the at least one outlet port includes a hole formed through a thickness of the outer shaft, a hole formed through a thickness of the electrical insulator, and a hole formed through a thickness of the insulating layer. an outer shaft defining a lumen extending along a central axis, a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end, wherein the distal end forms a cutting window open to the lumen; an inner shaft rotatably disposed within the lumen of the outer shaft about the central axis, the inner shaft defining a distal portion forming a cutting tip; wherein the cutting tip and the cutting window combine to define a cutting implement; and first and second electrically isolated electrode surfaces (418, 420) formed at the cutting implement; and characterized in that the outer shaft forms the first electrode surface; and further comprising a second electrode body receiving and secured to the outer shaft and defining the second electrode surface; and an irrigation channel extending parallel to the outer shaft, the irrigation channel terminating in at least one outlet port, the outlet port(s) proximally spaced from the cutting window and located radially outside of the outer shaft and further comprising an electrical insulator disposed over the outer shaft to electrically isolate the outer shaft and the second electrode body, wherein at a surface of the cutting window is free of the electrical insulator such that at least a portion of the cutting window defines at least a portion of the first electrode surface; and further comprising an insulating layer disposed about the second electrode body and the outer shaft; and wherein the at least one outlet port includes a hole formed through a thickness of the outer shaft, a hole formed through a thickness of the electrical insulator, and a hole formed through a thickness of the insulating layer.