System and method for electrosurgical conductive gas cutting for improving eschar, sealing vessels and tissues

An electrosurgical device comprising:

• a housing;
• a channel in said housing;
• a port at a proximal end of said channel for connecting said channel to a source of pressurized inert gas;
• a port at a distal end of said channel for discharging inert gas flowing through said channel;
• an electrode extending through said channel in said housing;
• a connector for connecting a proximal end of said electrode to an electrosurgical generator;
• and
• controls configured to control application of electrical energy to said electrode and to control a flow of gas into said channel from said source of pressurized inert gas, said controls comprising three buttons extending through a side of said housing;
• wherein said controls are configured to place said electrosurgical device into four different electrosurgical modes;
• wherein said four different electrosurgical modes comprise a cut mode in which electrical energy is applied to said electrode but no gas flows into said channel from said source of inert gas, a coagulation mode in which electrical energy is applied to said electrode but no gas flows into said channel, a plasma coagulation mode in which electrical energy is applied to said electrode and gas flows into said channel, and a hybrid cut mode in which electrical energy is applied to said electrode and gas flows into said channel;
• and
• wherein in said cut mode electrosurgical energy having a duty cycle greater than 75% is applied to said electrode, in said coagulation mode electrosurgical energy having a duty cycle less than 75% is applied to said electrode and in said hybrid cut mode electrosurgical energy having a duty cycle greater than 75% is applied to said electrode.