Patent ID: 7842034

Claim:
A device for cutting or coagulating tissue, said device comprising: an elongate member having a distal end; a bifurcated foot member extending angularly from and to one side of the distal end of the elongate member, said bifurcated foot member comprising a right foot member portion having an upper surface, an inner edge and a lower surface and a left foot member portion having an upper surface, an inner edge and a lower surface, the inner edges of the right and left foot member portions being juxtaposed to each other with an open area therebetween; an electrically and thermally insulating covering formed on at least the lower surfaces of the right and left foot member portions; and an electrode on the upper surface of the right foot member portion; and an electrode on the upper surface of the left foot member portion; wherein the electrodes are energizable to thermally cut or coagulate tissue at a location above the open space located between the inner edges of the right and left foot members, without causing substantial thermal cutting and/or coagulation of tissue located below the lower surfaces of the right and left foot members.