Patent ID: 8747400

Claim:
An electrosurgical instrument for removing tissue from a target site within or on a patient's body comprising: a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end portion; an electrode assembly comprising a substantially flat active screen electrode positioned on the distal end portion of the shaft, at least one return electrode positioned on the shaft and spaced away from the active electrode, and at least one securing electrode positioned on the distal end portion of the shaft and disposed through a screen slot in the screen electrode, the at least one securing electrode comprising an electrode head that electrically connects the at least one securing electrode to the screen electrode; wherein the at least one securing electrode further comprises a leg extending from the electrode head, and a tab extending from the leg; an electrically insulating support member upon which the screen electrode is mounted, the support member mechanically interfering with and engaging a portion of the tab of the at least one securing electrode, wherein the electrode head has an elongate surface extending beyond the screen slot such that the combination of the electrode head and the tab mechanically act to fixedly secure the screen electrode to the support member and maintain electrical connection between the at least one securing electrode and the screen electrode; and at least one electrical connector extending through the shaft, wherein the at least one securing electrode is electrically coupled to the at least one electrical connector at the tab.