Uterine manipulator with cutting head

A uterine manipulator, comprising:

• a shaft;
• a handle coupled to a proximal end of the shaft;
• a return path conductor extending along the shaft;
• and
• a cutting head coupled to a distal end of the shaft, the cutting head including:
• a cup coupled to the distal end of the shaft, wherein the cup is configured to be positioned at a juncture between a cervix and a vagina;
• a conductive ring to which the return path conductor is electrically coupled;
• a cutting wire conforming to and extending around at least a portion of the cup when in a stored position, wherein the cutting wire is configured to follow a substantially circular path when unwound about a longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the cutting wire has an extended position in which the distal portion of the cutting wire extends radially outwardly from the cup;
• and
• wherein the cutting wire and the conductive ring define an annular gap sized to facilitate an arc discharge between the cutting wire and conductive ring when the cutting wire is energized.