Patent ID: 7115139

Claim:
A method for treating tissue comprising: providing a monopolar electrosurgical device; providing radio frequency power and an electrically conductive fluid to the electrosurgical device; providing the electrically conductive fluid from the electrosurgical device at a fluid flow rate; forming a localized fluid coupling with the electrically conductive fluid which couples the tissue and the electrosurgical device, the fluid coupling localized at a tip portion of the electrosurgical device; providing the radio frequency power from the electrosurgical device at a power level; applying the radio frequency power to the tissue, at least a portion of the radio frequency power applied through the fluid coupling to the tissue; heating the tissue with the radio frequency power; heating the fluid coupling with heat from the tissue sufficient to cause a boiling of the fluid coupling; and using the boiling of the fluid coupling as a visual indicator of a temperature of the tissue.