Patent ID: 8206381

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 the phase differential between pairings results in electrical currents being established between at least one of the pairings at an angle to the surface of the skin causing heating of the tissue below the surface of the skin.