Methods of cutting tissue using a medical instrument

1. A method for cutting tissue comprising:

inserting at least a portion of a medical instrument into a body; and

cutting tissue of the body with first and second blades of the medical instrument, wherein the first blade includes: a first member having a shearing surface; an electrically insulative member supported by the first member; and a conductive member adjacent to the electrically insulative member and electrically insulated from the first member by the electrically insulative member.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conductive member receives a current from a voltage source.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first member, the electrically insulative member, and the conductive member are curved.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising coagulating tissue with the medical instrument.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising making an incision in the body, and wherein the inserting step includes inserting the medical instrument through the incision.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of the first member, the electrically insulative member, and the conductive member is a layer.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising supplying an electrosurgical voltage to the first and second blades, the voltage being supplied to the first member and the conductive member of the first blade.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the electrosurgical voltage is supplied to the first member by electrical contact between the second blade and the first member.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical instrument further includes an elongated tubular member defining a lumen therein, a handle at a proximal end of the tubular member, and a mechanism coupled to the handle and extending within the lumen for imparting a scissors-like movement to at least one of the first and second blades relative to one another.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the mechanism applies a voltage to at least one of the first and second blades.

11. A method for cutting tissue comprising:

inserting at least a portion of a medical instrument into a body; and

cutting tissue of the body with first and second blades of the medical instrument, the instrument including a mounting portion for pivotally mounting the first blade with the second blade, wherein the first blade includes: a first member having a shearing surface; an electrically insulative member adjacent to the first member and extending to the mounting portion; and a conductive member adjacent to the electrically insulative member and electrically insulated from the first member by the electrically insulative member.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the electrically insulative member is a ceramic member, and the first member and the conductive member are metal layers affixed on the ceramic member.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first member supports the electrically insulative member and the conductive member.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the conductive member receives current from a voltage source.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first member, the electrically insulative member, and the conductive member are curved.

16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising coagulating tissue with the medical instrument.

17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising making an incision in the body, and wherein the inserting step includes inserting the medical instrument through the incision.

18. The method of claim 11 , wherein each of the first member, the electrically insulative member, and the conductive member is a layer.

19. The method of claim 11 , further comprising supplying an electrosurgical voltage to the first and second blades, the supply voltage being supplied to the first member and the conductive member of the first blade.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the electrosurgical voltage is supplied to the first member by electrical contact between the second blade and the first member.