ELECTROSURGICAL APPARATUS WITH FLEXIBLE SHAFT

An electrosurgical apparatus is provided including a connector, a flexible shaft, and a distal tip. The connector may further be coupled to an electrosurgical generator and gas supply. The distal tip of the electrosurgical apparatus may be grasped by a grasping tool, such that the orientation and position of the distal tip relative to the shaft may be manipulated to achieve a plurality of positions. The electrosurgical apparatus provides electrosurgical energy and inert gas to an electrode within the distal tip of the electrosurgical apparatus to generate a plasma beam. In one aspect, the distal tip is configured as a sheath that is extendable and retractable over the electrode to expose the electrode when the sheath is in a first position and conceal or cover the electrode when the sheath is in a second position.