Patent ID: 8512331

Claim:
An electrosurgical system comprising: an electrosurgical probe for applying at least a heat treatment to tissue of a patient below the surface of the skin, the probe being configured to contact the surface of the skin and comprising at least one substantially straight row of electrodes, the at least one row of electrodes including at least a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode; and a generator comprising a plurality of RF outputs and phase shifting circuitry for controlling the phase therebetween, wherein connection between the RF outputs and the electrodes is configured such that at least two electrode pairings are formed, the at least two electrode pairings including a first pair comprising the first and second electrodes, and the second pair comprising the first and third electrodes, wherein the phase shifting circuitry is configured such that the RF outputs apply a respective RF electrical potential across each pairing at different phase, and wherein as a result of the phase differential between the pairings, electrical current is established between the third pairing causing heating of the tissue below the surface of the skin.