Active electrode assembly for an electrosurgical device

An active electrode assembly for an electrosurgical device, comprising:

• an electrically conductive shaft having opposed proximal and distal ends, the proximal end being adapted for connection to an electrosurgical device;
• and
• an electrically insulating sheath partially covering the distal end of the electrically conductive shaft, the electrically insulating sheath having a recess formed therein, a portion of the distal end of the electrically conductive shaft being exposed through the recess to define an application surface for applying electrical current to a patient's tissue, wherein the application surface consists of an upper and forward surface of the shaft, further wherein the upper surface of the application surface has first and second laterally opposed sides, each of the laterally opposed sides being totally covered by the electrically insulating sheath thereby leaving only the upper and forward surfaces free and exposed.