Patent Publication Number: US-2022226037-A1

Title: Electrosurgical Electrode and Electrosurgical Tool for Conveying Electrical Energy

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62,934,489 filed on Nov. 12, 2019 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/854,803 filed on May 30, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to methods and apparatus for conveying electrical energy and, more particularly, to an electrosurgical tool having an elongated electrode that may be used for cutting tissue or coagulating tissue using electrical energy that is received by the elongated electrode. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electrosurgery involves applying a radio frequency (RF) electric current (also referred to as electrical energy) to biological tissue to cut, coagulate, or modify the biological tissue during an electrosurgical procedure. Specifically, an electrosurgical generator generates and provides the electric current to an active electrode, which applies the electric current (and, thus, electrical power) to the tissue. The electric current passes through the tissue and returns to the generator via a return electrode (also referred to as a “dispersive electrode”) in monopolar system or a second active electrode in a bipolar system. As the electric current passes through the tissue, an impedance of the tissue converts a portion of the electric current into thermal energy (e.g., via the principles of resistive heating), which increases a temperature of the tissue and induces modifications to the tissue (e.g., cutting, coagulating, ablating, and/or sealing the tissue). 
     For example, when tissue temperatures reach approximately 55 degrees Celsius (C), cells in the vicinity die. If more current is applied, the temperature keeps rising, the dead cells become desiccated and the proteins coagulate. If yet more current is applied and heat rises still further (above 100° C.), the remnants of the tissue will be vaporized. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an example, an electrosurgical electrode for conveying electrical energy is described. The electrosurgical electrode includes a proximal electrode end configured to receive electrical energy from an electrosurgical tool, a distal electrode end, and a working end portion between the proximal electrode end and the distal electrode end. The working end portion is configured for cutting or coagulation of tissue using the electrical energy that is received by the proximal electrode end. The electrosurgical electrode further includes a first lateral surface, a second lateral surface opposite the first lateral surface, a first face extending between the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface on a first side of the electrosurgical electrode, and a second face extending between the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface on a second side of the electrosurgical electrode that is opposite the first side. 
     Additionally, the electrosurgical electrode incudes one or more apertures extending entirely through a thickness of the elongated electrode between the first face and the second face. The electrosurgical electrode also includes at least one layer of an insulation material is coupled to an outer surface of the working end so that a first portion of the outer surface is covered by the at least one layer of insulation material and a second portion of the outer surface is not covered by the at least one layer of insulation material. The at least one layer of insulation material is configured to prevent applying electric current from the first portion of the outer surface to a tissue of a patient. The at least one layer of insulation material is coupled to the outer surface at the one or more apertures. 
     In another example, an electrosurgical electrode for conveying electrical energy is described. The electrosurgical electrode includes a proximal electrode end configured to receive electrical energy from an electrosurgical tool, a distal electrode end, and a working end portion between the proximal electrode end and the distal electrode end. The working end portion is configured for cutting or coagulation of tissue using the electrical energy that is received by the proximal electrode end. The electrosurgical electrode further includes a first lateral surface, a second lateral surface opposite the first lateral surface, a first face extending between the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface on a first side of the electrosurgical electrode, and a second face extending between the first lateral surface and the second lateral surface on a second side of the electrosurgical electrode that is opposite the first side. The electrosurgical electrode also includes a plurality of teeth on at least one of the first lateral surface or the second lateral surface, wherein the plurality of teeth can each taper to a respective tip point. 
     The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various examples or may be combined in yet other examples further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the illustrative examples are set forth in the appended claims. The illustrative examples, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and descriptions thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative example of the present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an electrosurgical system for performing electrosurgery, according to an example implementation. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an electrosurgical pencil for use in an electrosurgical system, such as the system illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a side view of an elongated electrosurgical electrode, according to an example implementation. 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the elongated electrosurgical electrode illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates another cross-sectional view of the elongated electrosurgical electrode illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of an elongated electrosurgical electrode, according to an example implementation. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an elongated electrosurgical electrode, according to an example implementation. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another perspective view of the elongated electrosurgical electrode illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of an elongated electrosurgical electrode, according to an example implementation with seamless insulating layer applied. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another perspective view of the elongated electrosurgical electrode illustrated in  FIG. 8  with seamless insulating material applied. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of an elongated electrosurgical electrode, according to an example implementation. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates another perspective view of the elongated electrosurgical electrode illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of an elongated electrosurgical electrode, according to an example implementation. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates another perspective view of the elongated electrosurgical electrode illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  illustrates another electrosurgical system for performing electrosurgery, according to an example implementation. 
         FIG. 15A  illustrates a perspective view of the electrosurgical electrode, according to an example implementation. 
         FIG. 15B  illustrates a plan view of the electrosurgical electrode illustrated in  FIG. 15A . 
         FIG. 15C  illustrates a first side view of the electrosurgical electrode illustrated in  FIG. 15A . 
         FIG. 15D  illustrates a second side view of the electrosurgical electrode illustrated in  FIG. 15A . 
         FIG. 16A  illustrates a perspective view of an electrosurgical electrode, according to an example implementation. 
         FIG. 16B  illustrates a plan view of the electrosurgical electrode illustrated in  FIG. 16A . 
         FIG. 16C  illustrates a side view of the electrosurgical electrode  1600  illustrated in  FIG. 16A . 
         FIG. 17A  illustrates a plan view of an electrosurgical electrode, according to another example. 
         FIG. 17B  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the electrosurgical electrode shown in  FIG. 17A , according to an example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed examples will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all of the disclosed examples are shown. Indeed, several different examples may be described and should not be construed as limited to the examples set forth herein. Rather, these examples are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. 
     By the term “approximately” or “substantially” with reference to amounts or measurement values described herein, it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. 
     While performing electrosurgery, an electrosurgical electrode may apply to tissue some stray electrical current, which is not used for a desired cutting or coagulation of the tissue. It would be beneficial to perform electrosurgery with reduced stray current. It would also be beneficial to reduce stray current while having a desired current flow only through a desired cutting zone so that there will also be less smoke created, thereby further reducing undesired airborne artifacts. The disclosed electrosurgical electrodes may be utilized to focus and direct electrical current to a desired tissue target while also help to reduce stray or undesired non-cutting current. 
     Within examples, the electrosurgical electrodes of the present disclosure can focus and direct the electrical current in this manner due to one or more geometrical features of the electrosurgical electrode and/or one or more layers of an insulation material covering select portions of the electrosurgical electrodes. For instance, the electrosurgical electrodes can include geometrical features at one or more edges to assist in increasing a density of the electrical current at the edges. As examples, the geometrical features can include a relatively fine edge (e.g., a relatively sharp edge) and/or a plurality of teeth that each taper to a relatively fine tip. Example cutting edges may be machined or designed along at least a portion of the blade so as to exhibit certain desired cleaving or cutting edges that concentrate electrical current towards a desired tissue target. 
     As used herein, the term “insulation material” means a material that is suitable to cover the portion of an outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode and prevent the application of electrical energy from the portion of the outer surface to a tissue of a patient. Accordingly, by applying the insulation material to a first portion of the electrosurgical electrode and omitting the insulation material from a second portion of the electrosurgical electrode, the electrical current that is applied to the tissue of the patient can be focused at the second portion of the electrosurgical electrode. In an implementation, the second portion of the electrosurgical electrode can be at least one edge of the electrosurgical electrode. 
     With the geometrical features and/or the selectively applied insulation material, the electrosurgical electrodes disclosed herein can reduce stray current that is current not used for the desired cutting or coagulation of the targeted tissue. The electrosurgical electrodes can cause less collateral damage to tissue surrounding the targeted tissue zone. As another advantage of reducing stray current and having the desired current flow through only the desired cutting zone is that there will also be less smoke created, thereby further reducing undesired airborne contaminants. 
     The electrosurgical electrodes disclosed herein can also provide enhanced cutting efficiencies. Cutting efficiencies may be enhanced with an electrosurgical electrode blade that facilitates a desired placement of the insulating material along an outer surface of the blade by way of one or more apertures. One or more apertures, openings, slots and/or holes provided by the electrosurgical electrode blade will be used to help secure the insulation material along the outer surface of the blade. One intention of such apertures etc. is to allow insulating material on one face to join with insulating material on the other face and create a seamless ring of insulation that will not lift or delaminate. 
     One or more apertures may extend along a portion of the length of the blade. One or more apertures etc. may be provided near an edge of the blade. Alternatively or in addition, one or more apertures etc. may be provided at alternative locations, away from an edge of the blade. As one example, an aperture may comprise a slot having a thickness of approximately 125 microns. 
     As described above, the electrosurgical electrode can include at least one layer of insulation material that covers a select portion of the outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode. Covering the select portion of the outer surface with the at least one layer of insulation material presents a technical challenge in that the insulation material may decouple from the electrosurgical electrode during or after an electrosurgical procedure. For example, in some instances, when the at least one layer of insulation material does not extend around an entire circumference of the electrosurgical electrode, the at least one layer of insulation material can have a free edge that can contact the tissue during the electrosurgical procedure. When the tissue contacts the free edge of the at least one insulation layer, the tissue can apply a force to the free edge that causes the free edge to decouple from the outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode. 
     Within examples, the electrosurgical electrodes described herein can address this technical problem associated with covering the select portion of the electrosurgical electrode with the at least one layer of insulation material. Specifically, within examples, the electrosurgical electrodes can include one or more apertures that extend entirely through a thickness of the electrosurgical electrode such that the at least one layer of insulation material can be received and/or extend through the one or more apertures. In this way, the one or more apertures can provide a passage through which the at least one layer of insulation material can extend so that the at least one layer of insulation material can extend between opposing sides of the electrosurgical electrode (e.g., as a continuous loop of the insulation material). 
     In this arrangement, when the tissue applies a force to the at least one layer of insulation material, the at least one layer of insulation material is forced against the outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode due to the portion of the at least one layer of insulation material that extends through the one or more apertures. As such, the one or more apertures can help to inhibit or prevent the at least one layer of insulation material from decoupling from the electrosurgical electrode. 
     Example electrosurgical electrodes described herein can be used with various different types of radio-frequency (RF) electrosurgical systems, including monopolar electrosurgical systems and bipolar electrosurgical systems. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an electrosurgical system  200  is illustrated according to an example. In  FIG. 1 , the electrosurgical system  200  is a monopolar electrosurgical system. However, as described in further detail below with respect to  FIG. 14 , the concepts of the present disclosure can be additionally or alternatively implemented in a bipolar electrosurgical system. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the electrosurgical system  200  includes an electrosurgical electrode  210 , a dispersive electrode  220 , a RF generator  230 , and an electrosurgical tool  240 . The RF generator  230  is configured to generate an electric current  250  that is suitable for performing electrosurgery on a patient. For example, the RF generator  230  can include a power converter circuit that can convert a grid power to electrical energy such as, for example, a RF output power. As an example, the power converter circuit can include one or more electrical components (e.g., one or more transformers) that can control a voltage, a current, and/or a frequency of the electrical energy. 
     The electrosurgical tool  240  can include the electrosurgical electrode  210 , and the electrosurgical tool  240  can include one or more electrical components that are configured to supply the electric current  250  from the RF generator  230  to the electrosurgical electrode  210 . As described in further detail below, the electrosurgical electrode  210  can then use the electric current to apply electrical energy to a tissue of the patient. 
     The dispersive electrode  220  can be coupled to a body of the patient, and the RF generator  230 . In this arrangement, the RF generator  230  can supply the electric current to the electrosurgical electrode  210 , the electrosurgical electrode  210  can apply the electric current to the tissue, the tissue can conduct the electric current to the dispersive electrode  220 , and the dispersive electrode  220  can return the electric current to the RF generator  230 . 
     Within examples, the electrosurgical system  200  can be used for at least one treatment modality selected from a group of modalities including cutting, coagulation, and fulguration. In  FIG. 1 , a surgeon  260 , using the electrosurgical tool  240  (e.g., an electrosurgical pencil) containing the electrosurgical electrode  210 , places the electrosurgical electrode  210  adjacent to patient tissue to cut said tissue and coagulate bleeding of a patient. 
     Current from the electrosurgical electrode  210  develops a high temperature region about an exposed end of the electrosurgical electrode  210  and this affects the tissue. As will be described in detail herein, the disclosed electrosurgical electrode  210  reduces unwanted stray current from the exposed end of the electrosurgical electrode  210  and thereby limits unintended tissue damage/destruction. This also tends to reduce an accumulation of unwanted eschar and smoke (e.g., undesired smoke particles). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates close up view of an electrosurgical tool  300  for conveying electrical energy for use in a monopolar electrosurgical system, according to an example. For example, the electrosurgical tool  300  may be used in the monopolar electrosurgical system  200  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Alternative electrosurgical tools  300  may be used in bipolar electrosurgical systems, such as the bipolar electrosurgical system  1000  illustrated in  FIG. 14  and described herein. 
     In the illustrated arrangement of  FIG. 2 , the electrosurgical tool  300  is in the form of an electrosurgical pencil. As such, in  FIG. 2 , the electrosurgical pencil  310  has an elongated shape that facilitates the user holding the electrosurgical tool  300  in a writing utensil gripping manner. However, the electrosurgical tool  300  can have a different shape and/or a different size in other examples. More generally, the electrosurgical tool  300  can be configured to facilitate a user gripping and manipulating the electrosurgical tool  300  while performing electrosurgery. Therefore, the electrosurgical tool  300  can be manually manipulated by a surgeon to cut or coagulate tissue by way of RF power, as described above. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the electrosurgical pencil  310  generally extends from a first or distal end  315  to a second or proximal end  320 . The electrosurgical pencil  310  comprises an elongated housing structure  330  that may be used to house certain electrosurgical pencil components. The distal end  315  of the elongated housing structure  330  receives an electrosurgical electrode  340 . The electrosurgical electrode  340  may comprise a metal tip  345  that is used to cut, or to coagulate tissue during surgery. In one example, the metal tip  345  comprises a pointed metal tip. In another example, the metal tip  345  may comprise a blade type structure having one or more machined cutting edges as will be described in greater detail herein. An insulating sleeve or an insulating cover  371  may be provided near a proximal portion  380  of the electrosurgical electrode  340 . The insulating cover  371  can be made from a material that prevents the electrosurgical electrode  340  from transmitting electrical energy to the tissue via a portion of the electrosurgical electrode  340  that is covered by the insulating cover  371 . In one example, the electrosurgical electrode  340  is configured to be removably coupled to the electrosurgical pencil  310 . 
     The elongated housing structure  330  of the electrosurgical tool  300  may also define a plurality of windows or cavities  350   a ,  350   b . These windows or cavities  350   a ,  350   b  may be defined to receive one or more human interface devices  360   a ,  360   b . In an example, the elongated housing structure  330  includes a first cavity  350   a  and a second cavity  350   b  for receiving a first human interface device  360   a  and a second human interface device  360   b , respectively. As one example, each human interface device  360   a ,  360   b  may be utilized to perform certain electrosurgical functions, such as cutting or coagulating tissue. In one example, the first human interface device  360   a  can be used to coagulate while the second human interface device  360   b  can be used to cut. Other human interface device configurations may also be used. 
     The electrosurgical tool  300  also includes an insulating cable  370  which provides power to the electrosurgical electrode  340 . This insulating cable  370  may receive power from an RF generator, such as the RF generators illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 14 . Alternatively, the electrosurgical pencil  310  may include an independent power supply such as a self-contained power supply. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an electrosurgical electrode  400  that may be used with the electrosurgical tool  300  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , according to an example.  FIG. 4A  illustrates a first cross-sectional view of the electrosurgical electrode  400  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4B  illustrates a second cross-sectional view of the electrosurgical electrode  400  illustrated in  FIG. 3 , according to an example. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-4B , the electrosurgical electrode  400  extends in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis from a proximal electrode end  410  to a distal electrode end  420 . As shown in  FIG. 4A , a distance between the proximal electrode end  410  and the distal electrode end  420  can define a length  413  of the electrosurgical electrode  400 . In an example, the length  413  between the proximal electrode end  410  and the distal electrode end  420  can be approximately 65 mm to approximately 75 mm. However, alternative distances may also be used. 
     The electrosurgical electrode  400  also includes a first lateral surface  421  and a second lateral surface  422  extending between the proximal electrode end  410  and the distal electrode end  420 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , a distance between the first lateral surface  421  and the second lateral surface  422  can define a width  417  of the electrosurgical electrode  400 . 
     The electrosurgical electrode  400  further includes a first major face  423  and a second major face  427  on an opposite side of the electrosurgical electrode  400  relative to the first major face  423 . The first major face  423  and the second major face  427  each (i) extend between the proximal electrode end  410  and the distal electrode end  420 , and (ii) extend between the first lateral surface  421  and the second lateral surface  422 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , a distance between the first major face  423  and the second major face  427  can define a thickness  419  of the electrosurgical electrode  400 . As shown in  FIG. 4B , the thickness  419  can vary over the width  417  of the electrosurgical electrode  400 . 
     In one example, the electrosurgical electrode  400  includes a working end portion  425  between the proximal electrode end  410  and the distal electrode end  420 . The working end portion  425  is configured for cutting and/or coagulation of tissue using electrical energy that is received by an electrosurgical tool, such as the electrosurgical tool  300  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In addition, the electrosurgical tool may receive such electrical energy by way of a RF power source, such as the RF generator  230  illustrated in  FIG. 1  or the RF generator  1100  illustrated in  FIG. 14 . In one example, the working end portion  425  of the electrosurgical electrode  400  comprises a sharpened or pointed tip at the distal electrode end  420  of the electrosurgical electrode  400 . Alternatively, the working end portion  425  may comprise a blade type structure having at least one beveled edge for cutting tissue. Other electrode working end configurations may also be used. 
     In an example, at least one layer of an insulation material  440  covers a portion of an outer surface  430  of the working end portion  425 , and the at least one layer of insulation material  440  does not cover a second portion  435  of the working end portion  425 . In this configuration, the second portion  435  of the outer surface  430  of the working end portion  425  remains uncovered by the at least one layer of the insulation material  440 . In one example, the working end portion  425  of the electrosurgical electrode  400  may comprise a total surface area of approximately 55 mm 2  and the insulation material  440  may cover approximately 70 percent to approximately 80 percent of this total surface area (e.g., approximately 42 mm 2 ). 
     As used herein, the term “insulation material” means a material that is suitable to cover the portion of the outer surface  430  and prevent the application of electrical energy from the portion of the outer surface  430  to a tissue of a patient. In this manner, when electrical energy is provided to the electrosurgical electrode  400 , current is substantially conducted to the target tissue only through the exposed select portion  435  of the outer surface  430  of the working end portion  425  of the electrosurgical electrode  400 . Similarly, the at least one layer of the insulation material  440  acts to prevent current from straying from the outer surface  430  of the working end portion  425  that is covered with the insulation material  440 . As such, the insulation material  440  reduces certain undesired effects that may be caused by stray currents generated by the electrosurgical electrode  400  during electrosurgical procedures. In addition, the build-up of eschar will not affect the performance of an insulated electrode as much as a normal, uninsulated, blade where eschar build-up may occur at a relatively similar thickness over the top of the electrode surface, both insulated and un-insulated. In the case of the former, the electricity is forced through the caked-on eschar because the current will seek a path of least resistance. In the latter, current that is inhibited by eschar will instead flow through another least restrictive current path, and act as stray current flowing through unintended tissue. 
     In one example, the at least one layer of the insulation material  440  comprises a polymeric material. For example, a thickness of the at least one layer of the insulation material  440  may comprise at least approximately 100 microns of insulation material. In the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 3-4B , a single layer of 120 microns of insulation material  440  is provided to substantively cover the working end portion  425  of the electrosurgical electrode  400 . However, in alternative electrosurgical electrode arrangements, one or more such layers may be provided along at least one portion of the electrosurgical electrode  400 . As just one example, a first portion of the electrosurgical electrode  400  may comprise a first layer of insulation material  440  while a second portion of the electrosurgical electrode  400  may comprise both a first layer and a second layer of insulation material  440 . 
     In one example, the polymeric material comprises a fluorocarbon material. As an example, the fluorocarbon material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). As noted above, the layer of insulation material  440  can have a thickness of at least 100 microns. This range of thicknesses is generally suitable to ensure that the polymeric material(s) prevent the application of electrical current as described above. However, other insulation materials may be additionally or alternatively used. For example, the insulation material  440  can be silicone, poly olefin, and/or polyamide having sufficient thickness to prevent application of electrical energy to the tissue. In general, the thickness of such alternative material(s) is suitable to prevent the application of electrical current and, in some implementations, the thickness may differ from the range of thicknesses described above for polymeric materials. 
     In some examples, the insulation material  440  can have a constant thickness over an entire surface area of the portion of the outer surface  430  covered by the at least one layer of insulation material  440 . The at least one layer of insulation material  440  having a constant thickness can be formed, for instance, by an over-molding process, spray coating, and/or a dip coating the electrosurgical electrode  400  using a mask to prevent the insulation material  440  from coupling to the select portion  435  that is to be exposed. The at least one layer of insulation material  440  having a constant thickness can help to reduce manufacturing complexities and/or help to reduce or prevent dielectric breakdown of the at least one layer of insulation material  440 . 
     In other examples, the insulation material  440  can have a variable thickness such that the thickness of the insulation material changes over the surface area of the portion of the outer surface  430  covered by the at least one layer of insulation material  440 . The at least one layer of insulation material  440  having a variable thickness can be formed, for instance, by over-molding, dip coating, spray coating, and/or vapor deposition. In some implementations, the at least one layer of insulation material  440  having a variable thickness can be formed due to variances in a shape of the electrosurgical electrode  400  and as a result of particular manufacturing techniques. 
     In some examples, the at least one layer of insulation material  440  can include a single layer of a single type of insulation material. In other examples, the at least one layer of insulation material  440  can include a combination of a plurality of insulation materials and/or a plurality of insulation layers. As just one example, a first layer of a first type of insulation material may be provided (e.g., a first layer of a first type of polymeric material) and a second layer of a second type of insulation material may be provided (e.g., a second layer of second type of polymeric material, different than the first type of polymeric material). 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 3-4B , the second portion  435  that is not covered by the at least one layer of the insulation material  440  is shown with an underlying conductive substrate of the electrosurgical electrode  400  exposed. However, in other examples, the conductive substrate of the electrosurgical electrode  400  can be covered at the second portion  435  by one or more layers of a material (e.g., a non-stick coating) that does not prevent the application of the electrical energy to the tissue. For instance, the second portion  435  can be covered by one or more layers of the materials described above for the insulation material  440 , but with a relatively lower thickness that is suitable to allow the electrical energy to pass through the one or more layers of material from the second portion  435  to the tissue. 
     As described above, the electrosurgical electrode  400  can include at least one layer of insulation material  440  that covers a select portion of the outer surface  430  of the electrosurgical electrode  400 . Covering the select portion of the outer surface  430  with the at least one layer of insulation material  440  presents a technical challenge in that the insulation material  440  may decouple from the electrosurgical electrode  400  during or after an electrosurgical procedure. For example, in some instances, when the at least one layer of insulation material  440  does not extend around an entire circumference of the electrosurgical electrode  400 , the at least one layer of insulation material  440  can have a free edge that can contact the tissue during the electrosurgical procedure. When the tissue contacts the free edge of the at least one layer of insulation material  440 , the tissue can apply a force to the free edge that causes the free edge to decouple from the outer surface  430  of the electrosurgical electrode  400 . 
     Within examples, the electrosurgical electrodes described herein can address this technical problem associated with covering the select portion of the electrosurgical electrode  400  with the at least one layer of insulation material. Specifically, within examples, the electrosurgical electrodes can include one or more apertures that extend entirely through a thickness of the electrosurgical electrode such that the at least one layer of insulation material can be received and/or extend through the one or more apertures. In this way, the one or more apertures can provide a passage through which the at least one layer of insulation material can extend so that the at least one layer of insulation material can extend between opposing sides of the electrosurgical electrode (e.g., as a continuous loop of the insulation material). 
     In this arrangement, when the tissue applies a force to the at least one layer of insulation material, the at least one layer of insulation material is forced toward the outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode due to the portion of the at least one layer of insulation material that extends through the one or more apertures. As such, the one or more apertures can help to inhibit or prevent the at least one layer of insulation material from decoupling from the electrosurgical electrode. 
     Additionally, the one or more apertures of the electrosurgical electrode can allow for the at least one layer of insulation material to be formed on the outer surface using manufacturing techniques that may be unsuitable for prior coatings on the electrosurgical electrode (e.g., a non-stick coating). For instance, the one or more apertures can allow for the insulation material to be a solid structure that is coupled around a portion of the electrosurgical blade in a manner that allows for some play between the insulation material and an outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode. 
     The one or more apertures of the electrosurgical electrode can additionally or alternatively simplify manufacturing and/or reduce a cost to manufacture the electrosurgical electrode. For instance, some existing electrosurgical electrodes that include a coasting (e.g., a non-stick coating) may be manufactured by a process that involves texturing a substantial portion of the outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode before coating the electrosurgical electrode. In some implementations, the surface texturing process is performed to help adhere the coating to the outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode. The surface texturing process can include, for instance, an acid etching and/or a sand blasting process to form and/or enhance microscale and/or nanoscale peaks and valleys on the outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode. Because the one or more apertures can assist in coupling the insulation material to the electrosurgical electrode, a process for manufacturing the electrosurgical electrode can optionally omit the surface texturing process. 
     However, in some examples, a manufacturing process for forming the electrosurgical electrodes described herein can include the above-described surface texturing process to further enhance engagement between the outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode and the insulation material. Additionally or alternatively, the process for manufacturing the electrosurgical electrode can include forming a textured surface on an inner surface within the one or more apertures. This can, for example, help to improve the engagement between the insulation material and the outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode in the one or more apertures. The one or more apertures described herein can be incorporated in any and all of the examples illustrated in the drawings and described herein. In some examples described above and below, the one or more apertures and/or the insulation material may not be explicitly illustrated in the drawings to help more clearly show and describe other features. However, the one or more apertures and/or the at least one layer of insulation material described and/or illustrated for any example herein can be incorporated in any other example described and illustrated in the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an electrosurgical electrode  600  for use with an electrosurgical tool for conveying electrical energy, such as the electrosurgical tool  300  illustrated in  FIG. 2 , according to an example. As will be described, this electrosurgical electrode  600  may be used for both cutting and coagulation. 
     Similar to the electrosurgical electrode  400  described above, the electrosurgical electrode  600  extends in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis from a proximal electrode end  610  to a distal electrode end  620 . The electrosurgical electrode  600  also includes a first lateral surface  621  and a second lateral surface  622  extending from the proximal electrode end  610  to the distal electrode end  620 . The electrosurgical electrode  600  further includes a first major face  623  and a second major face (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) that each (i) extend between the proximal electrode end  610  and the distal electrode end  620 , and (ii) extend between the first lateral surface  621  and the second lateral surface  622 . In this arrangement, the electrosurgical electrode  600  has a length, a width, and a thickness that are defined as described above. 
     In  FIG. 5 , the first lateral surface  621  of the electrosurgical electrode  600  comprises a smooth or generally linear surface. The second lateral surface  622  of the electrosurgical electrode  600  defines a sharp or a machined beveled surface that defines a cutting edge  630 . In one arrangement, the cutting edge  630  will not be sharp enough to mechanically cut tissue but will have a fine edge that will concentrate the electricity. As just one example, the fine edge may have an edge thickness in the range of approximately 70 microns to approximately 200 microns. A curved surface along with the first lateral surface  621  can further define a finer tip  631  of the electrosurgical electrode  600 . 
     The second lateral surface  622  includes the cutting edge  630 . The cutting edge  630  may be configured for cutting and for coagulation of tissue by way of electrical energy that is received by the conductive electrode  600  as explained herein with respect to the electrosurgical systems illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 14 . Near the proximal electrode end  610 , an insulating member  640  is provided in the form of a sleeve or cover. For example, such an insulating member  640  may comprise an insulating heat-shrink wrapping. The insulating member  640  can be formed from an insulation material that prevents the transfer of electrical energy to a tissue at the portion of the electrosurgical electrode  600  that is covered by the insulating member  640   
     In this example, the electrosurgical electrode  600  further defines an aperture  650 . In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , the aperture  650  is formed as a slot that passes through a thickness of the electrosurgical electrode  600 . As one example, the thickness of the electrosurgical electrode  600  may range from approximately 0.45 mm and approximately 0.25 mm. However, alternative thicknesses may also be used. In this illustrated arrangement, the aperture  650  propagates along the length and also along the curvature defined by the bottom or cutting edge  630 . In the electrosurgical electrode  600  shown in  FIG. 5 , the first aperture  650  has a generally constant thickness for receiving an insulation material  660 . However, in alternative arrangements, the aperture  650  may comprise a non-constant thickness. 
     This aperture  650  is configured to receive an insulation material  660 , such as the insulation material illustrated and described herein with respect to  FIGS. 3-4 . In this example, the insulation material  660  may be installed or wrapped along an outer surface  670  of the electrosurgical electrode  600  so that only the cutting edge  630  of an outer surface potion of a working end portion  625  remains uncovered by the insulation material  660 . For example, a portion  665  of the outer surface  670  of the cutting edge  630  of the electrosurgical electrode  600  remains uncovered by the insulation material  660 . 
     Although the electrosurgical electrode  600  includes only the single aperture  650  illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the electrosurgical electrode  600  may be utilized with alternative configurations. As just one example, the electrosurgical electrode  600  may define more than one aperture  650 . In an example conductive electrode comprising two or more apertures  650 , the apertures  650  can have similar geometrical configurations or different geometrical configurations. For example, a conductive electrode comprising a plurality of apertures  650  may comprise apertures  650  having a substantially same thickness but may have varying lengths. Similarly, the aperture  650  can include a plurality of slots that have a substantially similar length but may have varying thicknesses. Alternative geometrical aperture  650  configurations may also be used, such as circular, triangular, oval, trapezoidal, or semi-circular slot configurations. 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 5 , the cutting edge  630  comprises a beveled edge and may extend along the entire length of the conductive electrode blade portion. In this example, the length of the conductive blade portion extends first horizontally and then curves towards a distal most tip portion  631  of the blade, thus providing an enhanced cutting edge. Alternative cutting edge configurations may also be utilized, such as a paddle-shaped electrode comprising at least one cutting edge. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the electrosurgical electrode  600  comprises at least one layer of insulation material  660  provided along an outer surface of the working end portion  625  so that only a select portion  665  of the outer surface  670  of the working end portion  625  is exposed. As such, when electrical energy is provided to the electrosurgical electrode  600 , current is only allowed to be conducted through the exposed portion  665  of the outer surface  670  of the distal electrode end  620 . Consequently, the at least one layer of insulation material  660  inhibits or prevents stray current from flowing through the outer surface  670  of the working end portion  625  that is covered with the insulation material  660 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the portion  665  of the outer surface  670  of the electrosurgical electrode  600  that is exposed includes the cutting edge  630  and at least a portion of the outer surface  670  on the first major face  623  and the second major face. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the portion  665  of the outer surface  670  of the electrosurgical electrode  600  that is exposed can additionally or alternatively include the tip  631  of the electrosurgical electrode  600 . 
     In one example, the insulation material  660  illustrated in  FIG. 5  comprises a polymeric material. This polymeric material may comprise a fluorocarbon material. In one example, the fluorocarbon material comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Alternative insulation/polymeric materials may also be used. In one example, a thickness of the insulation material  660  comprises at least approximately 100 microns. In one example, the cutting edge  630  of the working end portion  625  comprises a longitudinal cutting edge. The longitudinal cutting edge of the working end portion  625  may extend along an entire length of the working end portion  625 . 
     In some examples, the at least one layer of insulation material  660  can a coating. In other examples, the at least one layer of insulation material  660  can be a solid structure that is coupled around a portion of the electrosurgical electrode  600  in a manner that allows for some play between the at least one layer of insulation material  660  and the outer surface  670  of the electrosurgical electrode  600 . For instance, the at least one layer of insulation material  660  can form a continuous loop that extends through the aperture  650 . 
     In some implementations, the at least one layer of insulation material  660  can be coupled to the outer surface  670  only by the engagement between the at least one layer of insulation material  660  and the outer surface  670  at the aperture  650 . This can be in contrast to alternative implementations in which the at least one layer of insulation material is adhered and/or bonded to the outer surface  670  at the first face  616  and/or the second face. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an elongated electrosurgical electrode  700 , according to another example. The elongated electrosurgical electrode  700  may be used with an electrosurgical tool for conveying electrical energy, such as the electrosurgical tool  300  illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 7  illustrates another perspective view of the elongated electrosurgical electrode  700  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     Similar to the electrosurgical electrodes  400 ,  500 ,  600  described above, the electrosurgical electrode  700  extends in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis from a proximal electrode end  710  to a distal electrode end  720 . The electrosurgical electrode  700  also includes a first lateral surface  721  and a second lateral surface  722  extending from the proximal electrode end  710  to the distal electrode end  720 . The electrosurgical electrode  700  further includes a first major face  723  and a second major face  727  that each (i) extend between the proximal electrode end  710  and the distal electrode end  720 , and (ii) extend between the first lateral surface  721  and the second lateral surface  722 . In this arrangement, the electrosurgical electrode  700  has a length, a width, and a thickness that are defined as described above. 
     The first major face  723  of the electrosurgical electrode  700  ( FIG. 6 ) includes a smooth or generally linear surface. The second major face  727  of the electrosurgical electrode  700  ( FIG. 7 ) also comprises a smooth or general linear surface. In an arrangement, the first major face  723  and the second major face  727  are configured parallel to one another and are tapered toward one another and meet so as to define a sharp or a machined beveled outer electrode perimeter  733 . This outer electrode perimeter  733  defines a cutting edge  730  that extends along the perimeter  733  of the electrosurgical electrode  700 . In one arrangement, the cutting edge  730  will not be sharp enough to mechanically cut tissue but will comprise a fine edge  732  that will concentrate the electricity. As just one example, the fine edge  732  may have an edge thickness in the range of approximately 70 to approximately 200 microns. The fine edge  732  may be configured for cutting and for coagulation of tissue by way of electrical energy that is received by the conductive electrode  700  as explained herein with respect to the electrosurgical systems illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 14 . 
     In this example, the electrosurgical electrode  700  further defines a first aperture  750   a  and a second aperture  750   b . The first aperture  750   a  comprises a first slot that passes through the thickness of the electrosurgical electrode  700 . As just one example, the thickness of the electrosurgical electrode  700  may range from approximately 0.45 mm and approximately 0.25 mm. However, alternative thicknesses may also be used. In this illustrated arrangement, the first aperture  750   a  extends along a length defined by a first portion  740   a  of the cutting edge  730 . In the electrosurgical electrode  700  shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , the first aperture  750   a  has a generally constant thickness for receiving an insulation material as described herein. However, in alternative arrangements, the first aperture  750   a  may comprise a non-constant thickness. 
     Similarly, in this illustrated example, the second aperture  750   b  comprises a second slot that passes through the thickness of the electrosurgical electrode  700 . In this illustrated arrangement, the second aperture  750   b  propagates along a length defined by a second portion  740   b  of the cutting edge  730 . In the electrosurgical electrode  700  shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , the second aperture  750   b  has a generally constant thickness for receiving an insulation material as described herein. However, in alternative arrangements, the second aperture  750   b  may comprise a non-constant thickness. 
     The first aperture  750   a  and the second aperture  750   b  are configured to receive an insulation material, such as the insulation material illustrated and described herein with respect to  FIGS. 3-5 . For example,  FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of the electrosurgical electrode  700  comprising an insulation material  760 .  FIG. 9  illustrates another perspective view of the electrosurgical electrode  700  illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In this illustrated example, the insulation material  760  may be coupled to or wrapped along an outer surface  770  of the electrosurgical electrode  700  (See,  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) so that only the first portion  740   a  of the cutting edge  730 , the second portion  740   b  of the cutting edge  730 , and a third portion  740   c  of the cutting edge  730  of the outer portion of a working end portion  725  remains uncovered by the insulation material  760 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of an elongated electrosurgical electrode  800 , according to an example implementation.  FIG. 11  illustrates another perspective view of the elongated electrosurgical electrode  800  illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     Similar to the electrosurgical electrodes  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700  described above, the electrosurgical electrode  800  extends in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis from a proximal electrode end  810  to a distal electrode end  820 . The electrosurgical electrode  800  also includes a first lateral surface  821  and a second lateral surface  822  extending from the proximal electrode end  810  to the distal electrode end  820 . The electrosurgical electrode  800  further includes a first major face  823  and a second major face  827  that each (i) extend between the proximal electrode end  810  and the distal electrode end  820 , and (ii) extend between the first lateral surface  821  and the second lateral surface  822 . In this arrangement, the electrosurgical electrode  800  has a length, a width, and a thickness are defined as described above. 
     The first major face  823  of the electrosurgical electrode  800  ( FIG. 10 ) comprises a smooth or generally linear surface. The second major face  827  of the electrosurgical electrode  800  ( FIG. 11 ) also comprises a smooth or general linear surface. In an arrangement, the first major face  823  and the second major face  827  are configured parallel to one another and are tapered toward one another and meet so as to define a sharp or a machined beveled outer electrode perimeter  833 . This outer electrode perimeter  833  defines a cutting edge  830  that extends along the perimeter  833  of the electrosurgical electrode  800 . In one arrangement, the cutting edge  830  will not be sharp enough to mechanically cut tissue but will comprise a fine edge  832  that will concentrate the electricity. As just one example, the fine edge  832  may have an edge thickness in the range of approximately 70 to approximately 200 microns. Preferably, this fine edge  832  may be configured for cutting and for coagulation of tissue by way of electrical energy that is received by the conductive electrode  800  as explained herein with respect to the electrosurgical systems illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 14 . 
     In this example, the electrosurgical electrode  800  further defines a plurality of apertures  850  that pass through a thickness of the electrosurgical electrode  800 . As just one example, the thickness of the electrosurgical electrode  800  may range from approximately 0.45 mm and approximately 0.25 mm. However, alternative thicknesses may also be used. In this illustrated arrangement, the plurality of apertures  850  are configured in an ordered series or ordered arrangement (e.g., an array of circular apertures arranged in a plurality of rows) that propagates along a length L  840  of the cutting edge  830 . However, alternate aperture arrangements could also be used, such as a plurality of apertures configured in a non-ordered series or non-ordered arrangement that propagates along the length L  840  or at least a portion of the length L  840  of the cutting edge  830  (See,  FIG. 10 ). 
     In the electrosurgical electrode  800  shown in  FIG. 10 , each of the plurality of apertures  850  comprises a circular aperture and each circular aperture comprises a uniform or constant circumference or radius. However, in alternative circular aperture arrangements, one or more of the circular apertures may comprise a non-uniform or non-constant circumference or radius. 
     The plurality of apertures  850  are configured to receive an insulation material, such as the insulation material illustrated and described herein with respect to  FIGS. 3-4  and as described generally with respect to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . In such an example, the insulation material may be installed or wrapped along an outer surface  870  of the electrosurgical electrode  800  so that only the first portion  840   a  of the cutting edge  830 , the second portion  840   b  of the cutting edge  830 , and a third portion  840   c  of the cutting edge  830   a  of the outer portion of a working end portion  825  remains uncovered by the insulation material, similar to the elongated electrode configuration illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . One or more apertures provided by the electrosurgical electrode  800  will be used to help secure the insulation material along the outer surface  870  of the electrosurgical electrode  800 . One intention of the apertures  850  is to allow the insulation material on the first major face  823  to join with insulation material on the second major face  827  so as to create a seamless ring of insulation material that will tend not to lift or to delaminate. Alternative geometrical aperture configurations may also be used, such as triangular, oval, trapezoidal, or semi-circular aperture configurations. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of an elongated electrosurgical electrode  900 , according to an example implementation.  FIG. 13  illustrates another perspective view of the elongated electrosurgical electrode  900  illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     Similar to the electrosurgical electrodes  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800  described above, the electrosurgical electrode  800  extends in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis from a proximal electrode end  910  to a distal electrode end  920 . The electrosurgical electrode  900  also includes a first lateral surface  921  and a second lateral surface  922  extending from the proximal electrode end  910  to the distal electrode end  920 . The electrosurgical electrode  900  further includes a first major face  923  and a second major face  927  that each (i) extend between the proximal electrode end  910  and the distal electrode end  920 , and (ii) extend between the first lateral surface  921  and the second lateral surface  922 . In this arrangement, the electrosurgical electrode  900  has a length, a width, and a thickness are defined as described above. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the electrosurgical electrode  900  has a working end portion  925  in the shape of a circular head. The first major face  923  of the electrosurgical electrode  900  ( FIG. 12 ) comprises a smooth or generally linear surface. The second major face  927  of the electrosurgical electrode  900  ( FIG. 13 ) also comprises a smooth or general linear surface. In an arrangement, the first major face  923  and the second major face  927  are configured parallel to one another and are tapered toward one another and meet so as to define a sharp or a machined beveled outer electrode perimeter  933 . This outer electrode perimeter  933  may define an edge  930  that extends along the perimeter of the electrosurgical electrode  900 . In one arrangement, this edge  930  comprises a cutting edge that will not be sharp enough to mechanically cut tissue but will comprise a fine edge that will concentrate the electricity. As just one example, the fine edge may have an edge thickness in the range of approximately 70 microns to approximately 200 microns. Preferably, this fine edge may be configured for cutting and for coagulation of tissue by way of electrical energy that is received by the conductive electrode  900  as explained herein with respect to the electrosurgical systems illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 14 . 
     In this example, the electrosurgical electrode  900  further defines a plurality of apertures  950  located generally in a central portion of the circular head and that pass through a thickness of the electrosurgical electrode  900 . As just one example, the thickness of the electrosurgical electrode  900  may range from approximately 0.45 mm and approximately 0.25 mm. However, alternative thicknesses may also be used. In this illustrated arrangement, the plurality of apertures  950  are configured in an ordered series or ordered arrangement (i.e., an array of apertures) within the circular head of the working end portion  925 . However, alternate aperture arrangements could also be used, such as a plurality of apertures configured in a non-ordered series or non-ordered arrangement. 
     In the example electrosurgical electrode  900 , each of the plurality of apertures  950  comprises a circular aperture and each circular aperture comprises a generally uniform or constant circumference or radius. However, in alternative circular aperture arrangements, one or more of the circular apertures may comprise a non-uniform circumference or radius. 
     In this example, the electrosurgical electrode  900  further defines a first aperture  950   a  and a second aperture  950   b . The first aperture  950   a  comprises a semi-circular slot that passes through a thickness of the electrosurgical electrode  900 . As just one example, the thickness of the electrosurgical electrode  900  may range from approximately 0.45 mm and approximately 0.25 mm. However, alternative thicknesses may also be used. In this illustrated arrangement, the first aperture  950   a  propagates along a length defined by a first portion  940   a  of the circular head. In the example electrosurgical electrode  900 , the first aperture  950   a  has a generally constant thickness for receiving an insulation material as described herein. However, in alternative arrangements, the first aperture  950   a  may comprise a non-constant thickness. 
     Similarly, in this illustrated example, the second aperture  950   b  comprises a semi-circular slot that passes through the thickness of the circular head. In this illustrated arrangement, the second aperture  950   b  propagates along a length defined by a second portion  940   b  of the circular head. In the example electrosurgical electrode  900 , the second aperture  950   b  has a generally constant thickness for receiving an insulation material as described herein. However, in alternative arrangements, the second aperture  950   b  may comprise a non-constant thickness. 
     The first aperture  950   a , the second aperture  950   b , and the plurality of apertures  950  are configured to receive an insulation material, such as the insulation material illustrated and described herein with respect to  FIGS. 3-5 . For example, the insulation material may be coupled to or wrapped along an outer surface  970  of the electrosurgical electrode  900  so that only the first portion  940   a  of the edge  930 , the second portion  940   b  of the edge  930 , and a third portion  940   c  of the circular head remains uncovered by the insulation material. 
     One or more apertures  950  provided by the electrosurgical elongated electrosurgical electrode  900  will be used to help secure the insulation material along the outer surface  970  of the elongated electrosurgical electrode  900 . One intention of the apertures  950  is to allow the insulation material on the first major face  923  to join with insulation material on the second major face  927  so as to create a seamless ring of insulation material that will tend not to lift or to delaminate. Alternative geometrical aperture configurations may also be used, such as triangular, oval, trapezoidal, or semi-circular aperture configurations. 
       FIGS. 15A-15D  illustrate an electrosurgical electrode  1500  that can be used with an electrosurgical tool (e.g., the electrosurgical tool  300  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), according to another example implementation.  FIG. 15A  illustrates a perspective view of the electrosurgical electrode  1500 ,  FIG. 15B  illustrates a plan view of the electrosurgical electrode  1500 ,  FIG. 15C  illustrates a first side view of the electrosurgical electrode  1500 , and  FIG. 15D  illustrates a second side view of the electrosurgical electrode  1500 . 
     Similar to the electrosurgical electrodes  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800  described above, the electrosurgical electrode  1500  extends in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis from a proximal electrode end  1510  to a distal electrode end  1520 . The electrosurgical electrode  1500  also includes a first lateral surface  1521  and a second lateral surface  1522  extending from the proximal electrode end  1510  to the distal electrode end  1520 . The electrosurgical electrode  1500  further includes a first major face  1523  and a second major face  1527  that each (i) extend between the proximal electrode end  1510  and the distal electrode end  1520 , and (ii) extend between the first lateral surface  1521  and the second lateral surface  1522 . In this arrangement, the electrosurgical electrode  1500  has a length, a width, and a thickness are defined as described above. 
     The proximal electrode end  1510  can receive electrical energy from the electrosurgical tool. For example, the electrosurgical electrode  1500  can include a conductive material that is exposed at the proximal electrode end  1510 . This can facilitate the proximal electrode end  1510  electrically coupling with the electrosurgical instrument to conduct the electrical energy from the electrosurgical instrument to the distal electrode end  1520 . 
     The electrosurgical electrode  1500  includes a working end  1525 , which is configured for cutting and coagulating tissue using the electrical energy that is received by the electrosurgical tool. As shown in  FIGS. 15A-15D , the electrosurgical electrode  1500  includes a cutting edge  1530 A on a first lateral surface  1521  of the electrosurgical electrode  1500  and a coagulating edge  1530 B on a second lateral surface  1522  of the electrosurgical electrode  1500 , which is opposite the first lateral surface  1521 . The cutting edge  1530 A is sharper than the coagulating edge  1530 B such that a density of electrical energy is greater at the cutting edge  1530 A than a density of the electrical energy at the coagulating edge  1530 B when the electrical energy is applied to the electrosurgical electrode  1500 . This can provide for the cutting edge  1530 A achieving relatively better performance than the coagulating edge  1530 B when the electrosurgical electrode  1500  is used during a cutting operation, and the coagulating edge  1530 B achieving relatively better performance than the cutting edge  1530 A when the electrosurgical electrode  1500  is used during a coagulating operation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15B , the electrosurgical electrode  1500  can additionally include a body portion  1539  extending between the first lateral surface  1521  and the second lateral surface  1522 . As shown in  FIGS. 15C-15D , the body portion  1539  can define the first major face  1523  and the second major face  1527 , which are a pair of substantially planar surfaces between the first lateral surface  1521  and the second lateral surface  1522 . In other implementations, the body portion  1539  can have a different shape. In this arrangement, the electrosurgical electrode  1500  can be in the form of an electrosurgical blade. 
     Within examples, the electrosurgical electrode  1500  can include at least one layer of a non-stick material covering an outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode  1500 . For instance, the non-stick material can cover at least one of the body portion  1539 , the cutting edge  1530 A, or the coagulating edge  1530 B. Accordingly, in one implementation, the non-stick material can cover the body portion  1539  but not cover the cutting edge  1530 A and the coagulating edge  1530 B. In another implementation, the non-stick material can cover the body portion  1539  and the cutting edge  1530 A, but not cover the coagulating edge  1530 B. In another implementation, the non-stick material can cover the body portion  1539  and the coagulating edge  1530 B, but not the cutting edge  1530 A. In another implementation, the non-stick material can cover the body portion  1539 , the cutting edge  1530 A, and the coagulating edge  1530 B. 
     As examples, the layer of non-stick material can be formed from similar materials as the insulation material described above, but with lesser thickness such that the electrical energy can be applied to the tissue via the portion(s) of the electrosurgical electrode  1500  that are covered by the non-stick coating. For instance, the layer of non-stick material can include a polymeric material having a thickness that is less than 100 microns. In one example, the polymeric material can include a fluorocarbon material. For instance, the fluorocarbon material can include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Additionally or alternatively, the layer of non-stick material can include silicone, poly olefin, and/or polyamide having a thickness to permits application of electrical energy to the tissue. 
     The electrosurgical electrode  1500  can include one or more apertures for coupling the layer(s) of non-stick material to the electrosurgical electrode  1500 , or the electrosurgical electrode  1500  can omit the apertures. As additional or alternative examples, the layer of non-stick material can be a coating (e.g., a non-stick enamel). 
     As shown in  FIG. 15B , the electrosurgical electrode  1500  can include a distal-most end  1526 . The distal-most end  1526  can provide a transition section that tapers from the relatively sharp surface of the cutting edge  1530 A to the relatively blunt surface of the coagulating edge  1530 B. For instance, the distal-most end  1526  can provide an edge that tapers inwardly from the coagulating edge  1530 B toward the cutting edge  1530 A. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 15A, 15C, and 15D , the electrosurgical electrode  1500  can additionally include a neck portion  1528  between a proximal electrode portion and a distal electrode portion. The proximal electrode portion can have a cross-sectional size that is greater than a cross-sectional size of the distal electrode portion. This can help to allow the electrosurgical electrode  1500  to preferentially bend at the neck portion  1528  when a force is applied to the distal electrode portion. To transition from the relatively large size of the proximal electrode portion to the relatively smaller size of the distal electrode portion, the neck portion  1528  can taper inwardly toward a center axis of the electrosurgical electrode  1500  along a direction from the proximal electrode portion toward the distal electrode portion. 
     Although not shown in  FIGS. 15A-15C , the electrosurgical electrode  1500  can additionally or alternatively include one or more apertures and/or one or more layers of insulation material as described above. The apertures(s) and/or layer(s) of insulation material can be in any of the configurations and arrangements described and illustrated above with respect to  FIGS. 5-13 . 
       FIGS. 16A-16C  illustrate an electrosurgical electrode  1600  that can be used with an electrosurgical tool (e.g., the electrosurgical tool  300  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), according to another example implementation.  FIG. 16A  illustrates a perspective view of the electrosurgical electrode  1600 ,  FIG. 16B  illustrates a plan view of the electrosurgical electrode  1600 ,  FIG. 16C  illustrates a side view of the electrosurgical electrode  1600 . 
     Similar to the electrosurgical electrodes  400 ,  500 ,  600 ,  700 ,  800 ,  1500  described above, the electrosurgical electrode  1600  extends in an axial direction along a longitudinal axis from a proximal electrode end  1610  to a distal electrode end  1620 . The electrosurgical electrode  1600  also includes a first lateral surface  1621  and a second lateral surface  1622  extending from the proximal electrode end  1610  to the distal electrode end  1620 . The electrosurgical electrode  1600  further includes a first major face  1623  and a second major face  1627  that each (i) extend between the proximal electrode end  1510  and the distal electrode end  1620 , and (ii) extend between the first lateral surface  1621  and the second lateral surface  1622 . In this arrangement, the electrosurgical electrode  1600  has a length, a width, and a thickness are defined as described above. 
     The proximal electrode end  1610  can receive electrical energy from the electrosurgical tool. For example, the electrosurgical electrode  1600  can include a conductive material that is exposed at the proximal electrode end  1610 . This can facilitate the proximal electrode end  1610  electrically coupling with the electrosurgical instrument to conduct the electrical energy from the electrosurgical instrument to the distal electrode end  1620 . 
     The electrosurgical electrode  1600  includes a working end  1625 , which is configured for cutting tissue using the electrical energy that is received by the electrosurgical tool. Within examples, the electrosurgical electrode  1600  includes at least one cutting edge  1630  on a first lateral surface  1621  and/or a second lateral surface  1622  of the electrosurgical electrode  1600 . In  FIGS. 16A-16C , the first lateral surface  1621  and the second lateral surface  1622  each include the cutting edge  1630 . However, in other examples, the cutting edge  1630  can be provided on only one of the first lateral surface  1621  or the second lateral surface  1622 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16A-16C , each cutting edge  1630  includes a plurality of teeth  1632 . As shown in  FIG. 16B , each tooth  1632  can have a substantially triangular shape such that a base of the tooth  1632  is relatively nearer to a central axis of the electrosurgical electrode  1600  and an apex of the tooth  1632  is relatively farther from the central axis than the base. In this arrangement, the teeth  1632  can each taper to a relatively small tip point. As such, the teeth  1632  can provide for reducing a surface area of the electrosurgical electrode  1600  at the cutting edges  1630 , which can help to concentrate a density of the electrical energy applied by the cutting edges  1630  to tissue during a cutting operation. This can help to improve cutting performance by, for example, reducing charring while cutting tissue. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16B , the electrosurgical electrode  1600  can additionally include a body portion  1639  extending between the first lateral surface  1621  and the second lateral surface  1622 . As shown in  FIG. 16C , the body portion  1639  can define the first major face  1623  and the second major face  1727 , which are in the form of a pair of substantially planar surfaces between the first lateral surface  1621  and the second lateral surface  1622 . In other implementations, the body portion  1639  can have a different shape. In this arrangement, the electrosurgical electrode  1600  can be in the form of an electrosurgical blade. 
     In some examples, the electrosurgical electrode  1600  can include at least one layer of a non-stick material covering an outer surface of the electrosurgical electrode  1600 . For instance, the non-stick material can cover at least one of the body portion  1639 , the first lateral surface  1621 , or the second lateral surface  1622 . Accordingly, in one implementation, the non-stick material can cover the body portion  1639  but not cover the cutting edges  1630  at the first lateral surface  1621  and the second lateral surface  1622 . In another implementation, the non-stick material can cover the body portion  1639  and the cutting edge  1630  at the first lateral surface  1621 , but not cover the second lateral surface  1622 . In another implementation, the non-stick material can cover the body portion  1639  and the cutting edge  1630  at the second lateral surface  1622 , but not the first lateral surface  1621 . In another implementation, the non-stick material can cover the body portion  1639  and the cutting edges  1630  at the first lateral surface  1621  and the second lateral surface  1622 . 
     As described above, the layer of non-stick material can include a polymeric material. In one example, the polymeric material can include a fluorocarbon material. For instance, the fluorocarbon material can include polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The electrosurgical electrode  1600  can include one or more apertures for coupling the layer(s) of non-stick material to the electrosurgical electrode  1600 , or the electrosurgical electrode  1600  can omit the apertures. As additional or alternative examples, the layer of non-stick material can be a coating (e.g., a non-stick enamel). In other examples, the electrosurgical electrode  1600  can omit the layer of non-stick material. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16B , the electrosurgical electrode  1600  can include a distal-most end  1626 . In an example, the distal-most end  1626  can omit the plurality of teeth  1632 . In another example, the distal-most end  1626  can include the plurality of teeth  1632 . In one implementation in which the distal-most end  1626  include the teeth  1632 , the teeth  1632  can continue to extend around the distal-most end  1626  in the same manner shown for the teeth  1632  along the first lateral surface  1621  and the second lateral surface  1622  (e.g., a size, shape, and/or spacing between the teeth  1632  on the distal-most end  1626  can be consistent with the size, shape, and/or spacing of the teeth  1632  on the first lateral surface  1621  and the second lateral surface  1622 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16C , the electrosurgical electrode  1600  can additionally include a neck portion  1628  between a proximal electrode portion and a distal electrode portion. The proximal electrode portion can have a cross-sectional size that is greater than a cross-sectional size of the distal electrode portion. This can help to allow the electrosurgical electrode  1600  to preferentially bend at the neck portion  1628  when a force is applied to the distal electrode portion. To transition from the relatively large size of the proximal electrode portion to the relatively smaller size of the distal electrode portion, the neck portion  1628  can taper inwardly toward a center axis of the electrosurgical electrode  1600  along a direction from the proximal electrode portion toward the distal electrode portion. 
       FIGS. 17A-17B  illustrate an electrosurgical electrode  1700  that can be used with an electrosurgical tool (e.g., the electrosurgical tool  300  illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), according to another example implementation. The electrosurgical electrode  1700  is substantially similar or identical to the electrosurgical electrode  1600  described above with respect to  FIGS. 16A-16C , except the electrosurgical electrode  1700  includes at least one layer of insulation material  1740  on a portion of an outer surface  1730  of the electrosurgical electrode  1700 . More specifically, the at least one layer of insulation material  1740  covers the body portion  1639  while the teeth  1632  on the first lateral surface  1621  and the second lateral surface  1622  protrude through the at least one layer of insulation material  1740  such that the teeth  1632  are exposed. 
     In one implementation, the insulation material  1740  can be a polymer heat shrink. In this implementation, the insulation material  1740  can initially be tubular. The body portion  1639  of the electrosurgical electrode  1700  can be positioned within a bore of the insulation material  1740 , and then heat can be applied to shrink the insulation material  1740  onto the body portion  1639  of the electrosurgical electrode  1700 . While applying the heat, the teeth  1632  can puncture the insulation material  1740  and protrude from the insulation material  1740 . As such, the teeth  1632  can be exposed while a remainder of the body portion  1639  (e.g., including gaps between the teeth  1632 ) is covered by the insulation material  1740 . In this arrangement, the insulation material  1740  can further help to concentrate a density of the electrical energy applied by the cutting edges  1630  to tissue during a cutting operation. This can help to improve cutting performance by, for example, reducing charring while cutting tissue. 
     As described above, the distal-most end  1626  can additionally or alternatively include the teeth  1632  in some examples. In some implementations of such examples, the at least one layer of insulation material  1740  can cover the distal-most end  1626  while exposing the teeth  1632  at the distal-most end  1626  in a similar manner to that described above. 
     In  FIGS. 16A-17B , the teeth  1632  are generally equally spaced relative to each other. However, in another example, the teeth  1632  can have different distances between adjacent ones of the teeth  1632 . For instance, a distance between a first pair of adjacent teeth  1632  can be different than a distance between a second pair of adjacent teeth  1632 . 
     Although not shown in  FIGS. 16A-17B , the electrosurgical electrode  1600 ,  1700  can additionally or alternatively include one or more apertures and/or one or more layers of insulation material as described above. The apertures(s) and/or layer(s) of insulation material can be in any of the configurations and arrangements described and illustrated above with respect to  FIGS. 5-13 . 
     As already noted, the disclosed electrode configurations may be used in both monopolar and bipolar applications. For example, referring now to  FIG. 16 , a bipolar electrosurgical system  1200  is illustrated. This bipolar electrosurgical system  1000  comprises a RF electrosurgical generator  1100  (also referred to as an electrosurgical unit or ESU). The RF electrosurgical generator  1100  utilizes a first electrosurgical electrode and a second electrosurgical electrode wire  1150  that provides for a delivery of radio-frequency (RF) current through a tissue  1300  to raise tissue temperature for cutting, coagulating, and desiccating. Such radio frequency (RF) will be current comprising rapidly alternating polarity such as on the order of approximately 0.1 to approximately 3 MHz. 
     The system  1000  further includes an electrosurgical tool  1400  that comprises two electrosurgical electrodes  1450   a ,  1450   b . As explained in detail herein, example electrosurgical electrodes disclosed herein may be used with such an electrosurgical tool  1400 . 
     Bipolar electrosurgery often requires less energy to achieve a desired tissue effect and therefor lower voltages may often be applied. Because bipolar electrosurgery has certain limited abilities to cut and coagulate large bleeding areas, bipolar electrosurgery is ideally used for those procedures where tissues can be grabbed on both sides by the electrosurgical electrodes  1450   a ,  1450   b . Electrosurgical current in the tissue  1300  is restricted to just the tissue  1300  residing between the two electrosurgical electrodes  1450   a ,  1450   b.    
     As used herein, by the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide. 
     Different examples of the system(s), apparatus(es), and method(s) disclosed herein include a variety of components, features, and functionalities. It should be understood that the various examples of the system(s), apparatus(es), and method(s) disclosed herein may include any of the components, features, and functionalities of any of the other examples of the system(s), apparatus(es), and method(s) disclosed herein in any combination, and all of such possibilities are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. 
     The description of the different advantageous arrangements has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the examples in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, different advantageous examples may describe different advantages as compared to other advantageous examples. The example or examples selected are chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the examples, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various examples with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.