Patent ID: 7276063

Claim:
An electrosurgical instrument for applying electrical energy to tissue at a target site, the instrument comprising: a handle, and an elongate member extending from said handle; a distal tip section comprising a tissue-contacting surface; at least one active electrode recessed within the tissue-contacting surface and having a curved configuration; and a return electrode spaced from said active electrode wherein said return electrode has an exposed surface area substantially larger than said active electrode so as to have a minimal tissue effect on the tissue at least one opening within the tissue-contacting surface for venting the target site, said opening extending from the tissue-contacting surface to a second surface, opposite of said tissue-contacting surface, and said opening being in fluid communication with an aspiration lumen extending through said elongate member wherein fluid may pass to said aspiration lumen from said opening of either of said tissue-contacting surface or said second surface.