Importance

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Abstract

An electrosurgical tip for the application of electromagnetic energy in either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit through the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human has a metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode for connection to an electrosurgical generator proximally and for transmission of the electromagnetic electrosurgical energy to the tissue and the bodily fluids of the animal or human distally. A sheath of heat shrinkable fluorinated polymeric substance is an electrical and thermal insulator held about the electrode for preventing the flow of electromagnetic and thermal energy from the metallic electrically and thermally conductive electrode to the tissue and the bodily fluids. A smooth surface of the sheath contacts the tissue and the bodily fluids and has a low surface free energy. Openings through the sheath extend from the electrode to the surface for permitting the passage of energy. A wall of the sheath is of a thickness adequate to space the electrode from substantially any contact with the tissue and isolate heat due to the arcs. A ceramic substance is an electrical and thermal insulator about the conductive electrode for preventing the energy flow. A method of making the tip includes covering the electrode with the insulator, isolating physically the heat generated due to the passage of energy. A method of using the tip places the surface in close proximity to the tissue and the bodily fluids, transmits the electromagnetic energy through the openings, allows cleaning tissue and bodily fluids from the surface. The use includes first passing energy through openings in a wall of electrical and thermal insulation and application of electromagnetic energy by either a monopolar or a bipolar circuit relative to the tissue and the bodily fluids of an animal or human.

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