Bipolar tool for separating tissue adhesions or tunneling

A bipolar tunneling tool comprising:

• a handle comprising an activation element;
• a tunneling shaft extending from the handle;
• a return electrode disposed proximate a distal end of the tunneling shaft
• an active electrode disposed at the distal end of the tunneling shaft, wherein the activation element is configured to activate the active electrode in response to actuation of the activation element, and wherein the active electrode is configured to dissect a tissue and cauterize the tissue;
• an insulative housing configured to electrically insulate the active electrode from the return electrode;
• and
• a guide member extending from the handle in a substantially parallel fashion to the tunneling shaft, the guide member configured to move above an outer surface of a sternum in an extracorporeal fashion during use of the bipolar tunneling tool.

A method comprising:

• inserting a tunneling shaft of a bipolar tunneling tool into a substernal space of a patient, wherein the bipolar tunneling tool comprises:
• a return electrode disposed proximate a distal end of the tunneling shaft;
• an optical window disposed proximate the return electrode, the optical window defining a channel;
• an active electrode at least partially disposed within the channel, the active electrode configured to dissect a tissue and cauterize the tissue;
• an insulative housing configured to electrically insulate the active electrode from the return electrode;
• and
• a camera disposed proximate the optical window and configured to connect to a display;
• actuating an activation element configured to activate the active electrode in response to actuation of the activation element;
• and
• visualizing a dissection path of the bipolar tunneling tool using the camera.