Patent ID: 6921398
Filing Date: 2005-07-26
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of conducting an electrosurgical procedure comprising the steps of: providing a single active electrode of a monopolar electrosurgical probe; providing an electrically conductive fluid in the proximity of a tissue to be treated; positioning said single active electrode in a first region located in the proximity of said tissue to be treated in the presence of said electrically conductive fluid; applying a high frequency voltage to said single active electrode to generate an electric field and current adjacent said single active electrode; effecting ablation of at least a portion of said tissue to be treated in said first region; and imparting a vibratory motion of about 2 to about 5,000 oscillations per second to said single active electrode so as to rapidly and alternately reposition said single active electrode between said first region and a second region located in the proximity of said tissue to be treated in the presence of said electrically conductive fluid, to manage the formation of bubble formation bubbles at said single active electrode to facilitate tissue vaporization in said electrically conductive fluid.