Patent ID: 8308724

Claim:
A bipolar electrosurgical probe comprising: a. a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; b. at least one active electrode located at or near the distal end of said shaft, wherein said at least one active electrode is connected to a power supply; c. a conductor connected to said at least one active electrode; d. a return current electrode disposed on the shaft in moderate proximity to the at least one active electrode; e. at least one conductive member disposed at the distal end, wherein said at least one conductive member comprises a floating electrode that is not connected to a power supply; and f. a dielectric member disposed between the at least one active electrode and the at least one conductive member, wherein said at least one conductive member has an exposed surface defined by a distal portion disposed in a region of higher potential and a proximal portion disposed in a region of lower potential, further wherein the distal portion is positioned in close proximity to an end of the at least one active electrode such that current flows from the active electrode to the conductive member then toward the return electrode, so as to concentrate the power in the vicinity of the active electrode and increase the energy density in the region surrounding the active electrode.