Patent ID: 6758846
Filing Date: 2004-07-06
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An electrosurgery system for treating tissue immersed in an electrically conductive fluid, comprising:a generator for delivering a radio frequency tissue treatment output in the frequency range of from 100 kHz to 50 MHz, and an elongate instrument shaft configured to be mounted at a proximal end to a handpiece and carrying at its distal end a bipolar electrode assembly connected to the generator, wherein the electrode assembly includes: an active electrode with an active zone at a distal end of the active electrode; and a return electrode with a return zone near the active zone; wherein at least one of the active and return zones has an electrically insulating dielectric covering such that in use a radio frequency electrical circuit between the active and return electrodes through the conductive fluid is completed primarily by dielectric coupling through the dielectric covering.