ELECTROSURGICAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING AND MODIFYING TISSUE

摘要

The present invention provides systems, apparatus and methods for selectively applying electrical energy to body tissue in order to ablate, contract, coagulate, or otherwise modify a tissue or organ of a patient. An electrosurgical apparatus (700) includes an electrode support (711) bearing an active electrode in the form of a plasma blade or hook (713) having an active edge and first and second blade sides (714). The first and second blade are adapted for engaging against and coagulating, the severed tissues. A method of the present invention includes positioning the apparatus adjacent to the target tissue so that that a blade- or hook-like electrode is brought near to the target tissue in the presence of an electrically conductive fluid. A high frequency voltage is applied between the active electrode (712) and a return electrode (718) to effect cool ablation of other modification of the tissue.