Patent ID: 8790340

Claim:
An electrosurgical instrument comprising: a. an elongate conductive 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. an electrode assembly mounted to the distal end of said elongate conductive shaft and comprising an active electrode, a floating electrode, and an insulator separating said active and floating electrodes, wherein: i. said insulator is disposed around said active electrode, and said floating electrode is disposed around said insulator; ii. said insulator is formed from a nonconductive dielectric material whereas said active and floating electrodes are formed from an electrically conductive material; iii. said active and floating electrodes are positioned in close proximity to each other; iv. said active electrode is electrically connected to said elongate conductive shaft whereas said floating electrode is not directly connected to either the elongate conductive shaft or the electrosurgical power source; c. a grasping subassembly slidably mounted proximate to said distal end of said elongate conductive shaft, said grasping subassembly comprising a plurality of grasping arms and a tubular control element positioned and axially slidable over said plurality of grasping arms, wherein advancement of said tubular control element in a distal direction causes said plurality of grasping arms to deflect inwardly and capture tissue retained therebetween.