An electro-adhesive tissue manipulator capable of manipulating tissue with a single conducting element is provided. The manipulator includes a conducting element, an electrical means and a control means capable of generating a first and a second pulse on demand. The first pulse generates an adhesive state between the conducting element and the tissue layer strong enough to manipulate the tissue layer. The second pulse, which has higher pulse energy than the first pulse, generates a non-adhesive state to detach the adhered tissue layer from the conducting element. The electro-adhesive device could be combined with a medical instrument to enhance the capabilities of the medical instrument so that it can manipulate tissue. The advantage of the present invention, in contrast to mechanical tools, is that tissue can be manipulated with a single tip of a conducting element, without folding and piercing of the tissue, thus avoiding damage to the tissue.