Patent ID: 8241278

Claim:
A system for irrigating a surgical site during an electrosurgical procedure, comprising: a hand piece having a housing with a multi-lumen tube extending therefrom and an electrode operatively associated therewith disposed in electrical communication with a generator, the multi-lumen tube including an irrigation tube configured to deliver irrigation fluid and a suction tube configured to withdraw irrigation fluid, the irrigation tube coupled to an irrigation fluid source and the suction tube coupled to a vacuum source, each of the irrigation tube and suction tube disposed in fluid communication with an irrigation tip having at least one outlet defined therein that supplies irrigation fluid and at least one inlet defined therein that withdraws irrigation fluid, wherein the at least one inlet is distal relative to the at least one outlet with respect to the irrigation tip, the disposition of the at least one inlet opening permitting irrigation fluid to flow along a larger segment of the electrode thereby maximizing the transfer of heat from the electrode to the irrigation fluid.