Hemostatic bi-polar electrosurgical cutting apparatus and methods of use

Apparatus for hemostatically cutting tissue, the apparatus comprising:

• a first shearing member having, a first shearing surface, a first cutting edge having a length, and a first exterior surface, a portion of the first exterior surface adjacent the first cutting edge defining a first electrode;
• a second shearing member having a second shearing surface, a second cutting edge, and a second exterior surface, a portion of the second shearing member adjacent the second cutting edge defining a second electrode;
• means for connecting the first and second shearing members so that the first shearing surface moves relative to the second shearing surface through a range of motion in a scissors-like cutting action, wherein the first and second cutting edges close together for shearing tissue located therebetween, the scissors-like cutting action defining a cutting point located just distally of where the first and second cutting edges come together, the cutting point moving distally atoms where the first and second cutting edges come together through the range of motion;
• and
• an electrically insulative material interposed between the first and second electrodes so that the first and second electrodes do not contact each other in the range of motion, and so that a current passes between the first and second electrodes distal to the cutting point to cause hemostasis of the tissue and not between the first and second shearing surfaces, the first and second cutting edges cutting the tissue at the cutting point,
• wherein the first and second shearing members comprises an electrically conductive material, the means for connecting the first and second shearing members comprised of a material that does not conduct electricity and the electrically insulative material comprises a first layer of material disposed on the first shearing member to form substantially the entire length of the first cutting edge and the first shearing surface.