Method and apparatus for providing enhanced tissue fragmentation and/or hemostasis

A method for conducting enhanced cutting at a surgical site on a patient comprising:

• applying at least an RF cutting current to an operative tip of an ultrasonic surgical aspirating instrument,
• ultrasonically vibrating the operative tip,
• positioning the tip at the surgical site, and
• thereafter, positioning the tip at the surgical site as needed as the RF cutting current is delivered by the tip to the surgical site.

A method for electrosurgically cutting tissue at a surgical site on a patient comprising:

• applying an RF cutting or an RF coagulating current to an operative tip of an ultrasonic aspirating instrument,
• ultrasonically vibrating the tip,
• thereafter, positioning the tip at the site as needed, as the RF cutting current is delivered to the surgical site to perform the tissue cutting procedure,
• with the tip being positioned generally at the surgical site, switching the instrument between an RF coagulating mode thereof and an RF cutting mode thereof.