Patent ID: 8092449

Claim:
A surgical probe, comprising: a handle and a shaft which is connected to the handle; wherein the shaft comprises: a proximal electrode; a distal electrode; wherein the proximal electrode is nearer to the handle than the distal electrode, an insulator; and a hollow body extending from the handle, the distal end of the hollow body integrally forming the distal electrode, with the hollow body being distally closed, made of metal and electrically conductive; wherein the hollow body comprises a portion of smaller outside diameter and a portion of larger outside diameter, wherein the portion of larger outside diameter comprises the distal electrode and wherein the portion of smaller outside diameter is externally enclosed by and supports the proximal electrode and the insulator thereon, wherein the insulator electrically insulates the proximal electrode from the enclosed distal electrode, with the insulator comprising an insulating layer supported on the hollow body and positioned in a radial direction between the hollow body and the enclosing proximal electrode; the hollow body of the distal electrode further comprising a fluid passage in the interior thereof, configured for passage of a cooling fluid therein; wherein the proximal and distal electrodes comprise an outer surface of the shaft and are axially separated from each other by the insulator; wherein the outside diameter of the two electrodes and the outside diameter of the insulator are approximately equal; and wherein the probe is configured to have a mechanical strength, rigidity and perforation capability that permits insertion of the shaft into body tissue.