Patent ID: 8506564

Claim:
A surgical instrument configured to deliver electrical energy to the tissue of a patient, comprising: a first conductor configured to be operably coupled with a positive terminal of a voltage source; a second conductor, wherein said first conductor is electrically insulated from said second conductor; a first electrode operably coupled with said first conductor, said first electrode comprising: an elongate portion defined along a first axis; and a distal end configured to contact the tissue; a second electrode operably coupled with said first conductor, said second electrode comprising: an elongate portion defined along a second axis; and a distal end configured to contact the tissue; a third electrode operably coupled with said second conductor, said third electrode comprising: an elongate portion defined along a third axis; and a distal end configured to contact the tissue; a fourth electrode operable coupled with said second conductor, said fourth electrode comprising: an elongate portion defined along a fourth axis; and a distal end configured to contact the tissue, wherein said first electrode and said second electrode are positioned along a first line, wherein said third electrode and said fourth electrode are positioned along a second line, and wherein said first line intersects said second line; and a shaft, wherein said shaft defines a central axis, and wherein said first electrode and said second electrode are positioned closer to said central axis than said third electrode and said fourth electrode.