Patent ID: 6942662

Claim:
A bipolar cutting blade comprising: a first electrode, a second electrode, an electrical insulator spacing apart the first and second electrodes, the first electrode having a characteristic which is dissimilar from that of the second electrode, such that the first electrode is encouraged to become an active electrode and the second electrode is encouraged to become a return electrode, the spacing between the first and second electrodes being between 0.25 mm and 1.0 mm, such that when the first and second electrodes are in contact with tissue and an electrosurgical cutting voltage is applied therebetween, arcing does not occur directly between the first and second electrodes, and a third electrode adapted for coagulating tissue, the third electrode being separated from the second electrode by an additional insulator, wherein the firs electrode is substantially planar, and wherein the electrical insulator spaces apart the first electrode from the second and third electrodes on the other side of the bipolar cutting blade.