Abstract: The invention relates to an electrosurgical tool which includes in a housing an active and return electrode which can be controlled in use so that it is the active electrode which performs the electrosurgical function in contact with the body tissue. The tool may be controlled with the return electrode in contact with the body tissue but preferably not in contact with the body tissue. The return electrode is typically formed from a number of components spaced with respect to the active electrode.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the current invention relate to electrosurgical work involving the forming of cuts in and coagulation of body tissue of a patient. The apparatus and method of the invention overcome disadvantages common with conventional dipolar and monopolar apparatus. In one aspect the invention provides a cutting tool or instrument with at least one cutting or coagulation tip and the tool is adapted to operate as both a power supply electrode to supply power to the tip and as a return electrode to allow impedance feedback signals to be received by a control means thereby eliminating the need for a separate second electrode and taking the patient out of the circuit received by a control means. According to a second aspect the feedback information is stored, processed and analysed in relation to pregrogrammed and previous actual feedback to allow alteration to the power supply to the tip to create optimum cutting and/or coagulating conditions.