Patent ID: 6974450

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and a plurality of protruding members fixedly attached on said distal end of said shaft, wherein said plurality of protruding members are positionally fixed relative to said shaft, wherein each protruding member of said plurality of protruding members is positionally fixed relative to any other protruding member, wherein said plurality of protruding members comprises a first protruding member and a second protruding member; and a lysing mechanism comprising a first electro-conductive lysing segment located between said first protruding member and said second protruding member, wherein said lysing segment is configured to cut on its distal side, wherein said plurality of protruding members is insulated from said lysing mechanism, wherein said plurality of protruding members define a first plane on one side of said lysing mechanism and further define a second plane on the side of said lysing mechanism that is opposite to that of said first plane, wherein said lysing mechanism is fixed in a location substantially parallel to and within the range extending from said first plane and said second plane, wherein said apparatus is configured to cut two opposing and substantially planar tissue planes that are parallel with said first plane and said second plane as said apparatus is pushed through tissue.