An instrument (10) provided for simultaneous coagulation and dissection of tissue has tissue receptacles between the cutting electrode and the sealing electrode for the formation of tissue bulges to secure the tissue in the tool during the sealing process. In order to make it possible to form voluminous tissue bulges and to prevent their atrophy, the cutting electrode is supplied by a current limiting component, preferably in the form of a coupling capacitor. Thereby, in particular, in tissue that can be cut through easily, but which requires a long time for sealing, a high degree of process safety is achieved.