Patent ID: 8518034

Claim:
An electrosurgical instrument including at least first, second and third electrodes in fixed relationships to each other, the electrodes being spaced from each other by insulating members therebetween, the first electrode having a characteristic such that it is adapted to constitute an active electrode, the second electrode having a characteristic such that it is adapted to constitute a first return electrode, and the third electrode having a characteristic such that it is adapted to constitute a second return electrode, the instrument having first, second and third connections, the first connection being connected solely to the first electrode, the second connection being connected solely to the second electrode and the third electrode being connected solely to the third electrode, the connections being such that in a first arrangement the first electrode can be placed in circuit with the second electrode such that in use a current path is established between the first and second electrodes, and in a second arrangement the first electrode can be placed in circuit with the third electrode such that in use a current path is established between the first and third electrodes, the first, second and third electrodes being arranged such that the third electrode is not in the current path between the first and second electrodes when the first and second electrodes are in use, and the second electrode is not in the current path between the first and third electrodes when the first and third electrodes are in use.