Patent ID: 8348944

Claim:
An electrosurgical instrument comprising: a. a linear elongate shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis, wherein said proximal end is configured for connection to an electrosurgical power source; b. first and second laterally opposed, distally extending, insulated conductive members mounted to the distal end of said linear elongate shaft; c. an active electrode mounted to and extending between the distal ends of said first and second insulated conductive members, said active electrode comprising a wire cutting loop having first and second portions that extend away from the distal ends of said first and second insulated conductive members, respectively, and a third portion connecting said first and second portions to each other; and d. a bubble trap mounted to and extending between the first and second portions of the active electrode, said bubble trap comprising planar upper and a lower surfaces that are transverse to said longitudinal axis of said linear elongate shaft; further wherein said active electrode is formed from an electrically conductive material and is electrically connected to said linear elongate shaft, and further wherein the upper and lower planar surfaces of said bubble trap project proximally, distally, and laterally beyond a periphery of said active electrode.