Patent ID: 6312408
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: A61B,A61F,A61M,A61N

Abstract:
An electrosurgical probe for applying electrical energy to a tissue structure at a target site, the probe comprising:a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;an electrode terminal having a tissue treatment portion disposed at or near the distal end of the shaft;a return electrode coupled to the shaft and having an exposed fluid contact surface;at least one connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode terminal to a high frequency voltage source; andwherein the return electrode is spaced from the electrode terminal such that when the tissue treatment portion of the electrode terminal is brought adjacent a tissue structure immersed in electrically conductive fluid, the tissue treatment portion of the electrode terminal is positioned between the fluid contact surface of the return electrode and the tissue structure and the electrically conductive fluid completes a conduction path between the electrode terminal and the return electrode.