Fluid-assisted electrosurgical instrument with shapeable electrode

An electrosurgical system comprising:

• an electrosurgical instrument including:
• an elongated shaft defining a proximal section, a distal section, and an internal lumen extending from the proximal section, wherein the distal section forms an electrically conductive rounded tip and defines at least one passage fluidly connected to the lumen for distributing fluid from the lumen outwardly from the shaft, and further wherein the shaft is adapted to be transitionable from, and independently maintain a shape in, a straight state and a first bent state,
• a non-conductive handle rigidly coupled to the proximal section of the shaft,
• wherein an exterior surface of the shaft distal the handle and proximal the distal section is electrically non-conductive,
• a source of conductive fluid fluidly connected to the internal lumen;
• and an energy source electrically connected to the tip.

A method of performing an electrosurgical procedure, the method comprising:

• providing an electrosurgical instrument including an elongated shaft and a handle, the shaft defining a proximal section rigidly coupled to the handle, a distal section forming an electrically conductive rounded tip, and an internal lumen extending from the proximal section and in fluid communication with at least one passage formed in the distal section, wherein an exterior of the shaft distal the handle and proximal the distal section is electrically non-conductive, and further wherein the shaft is provided in an initial straight state that otherwise defines a linear axis;
• bending the shaft to a first bent state in which a portion of the shaft is deflected relative to the linear axis, wherein the shaft independently maintains a shape of the first bent state;
• positioning the tip at a tissue target site;
• dispensing conductive fluid from the internal lumen to the tissue target site via the at least one passage;
• and
• applying energy to the dispensed fluid by energizing the tip;
• wherein the energized conductive fluid heats tissue at the tissue target site.