Medical instruments for performing minimally-invasive procedures

A method for creating a bleb in tissue, the method comprising:

• providing apparatus comprising:
• a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;
• a monopolar knife assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, the monopolar knife assembly comprising a knife;
• a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft;
• wherein the shaft and the handle are configured to so that fluid can be passed from the handle to the distal end of the shaft and into tissue;
• wherein an actuation element extends through the shaft from the handle to the knife, such that when the actuation element is moved, the knife is moved;
• and
• wherein the actuation element transmits electrical power from the handle to the knife;
• inserting the knife through tissue to be excised;
• and
• injecting fluid into the tissue to lift the tissue to be excised away from underlying tissue.

A method for performing a minimally-invasive procedure, the method comprising:

• providing apparatus for performing a minimally-invasive procedure, the apparatus comprising:
• a shaft having a distal end and a proximal end;
• a monopolar knife assembly attached to the distal end of the shaft, the monopolar knife assembly comprising a knife;
• a handle attached to the proximal end of the shaft;
• wherein the shaft comprises a flexible portion and an articulating portion, wherein the flexible portion extends distally from the handle and the articulating portion extends distally from the flexible portion;
• wherein at least one articulation cable extends from the handle to the articulating portion, such that when tension is applied to the at least one articulation cable, the articulating portion deflects;
• wherein an actuation element extends through the shaft from the handle to the knife, such that when the actuation element is moved, the knife is moved;
• and
• wherein the actuation element transmits electrical power from the handle to the knife;
• and
• using the apparatus to perform a minimally-invasive procedure.