Systems and method for electrosurgically promoting blood flow to tissue

A method of vascularizing a region of a tendon, comprising:

• positioning a distal end of an electrosurgical instrument adjacent to the tendon;
• and
• applying energy to the tendon to heat the tendon to promote blood flow to the tendon.

A method of vascularizing a tendon, the method comprising:

• positioning an active electrode in at least close proximity to the tendon;
• and
• heating the tendon via a voltage applied to the active electrode so as to damage the tendon, wherein the damage is sufficient to cause a neovascular response and increased blood flow to the tendon.

An electrosurgical device for vascularization of a tendon, the device comprising:

• an instrument shaft having proximal and distal end portions and an active electrode disposed on the distal end portion;
• and
• a connector disposed on or within the shaft, the connector adapted for coupling the active electrode to a high frequency power supply, the high frequency power supply adapted for applying a high frequency voltage to the active electrode, the high frequency voltage being sufficient to effect the volumetric removal of tendon tissue adjacent to the active electrode and to promote blood flow to the tendon.

A method of vascularizing a target tissue, the method comprising:

• a) positioning an electrosurgical probe in at least close proximity to the target tissue;
• and
• b) applying sufficient radio frequency energy to the target tissue to promote blood flow to the target tissue, wherein the target tissue is selected from the group consisting of a tendon, a ligament, and a meniscus.

A method of treating a target tissue with an electrosurgical probe, the method comprising:

• a) forming one or more channels within the target tissue by the application of electrical energy thereto;
• and
• b) inserting an implant into at least one of the one or more channels.

An electrosurgical system for treating a target tissue of a joint, comprising:

• a probe including a shaft having a shaft distal end, and an electrode assembly disposed on the shaft distal end;
• and
• a sensing unit for determining a location of a boundary of the target tissue, wherein the target tissue comprises a tendon, a ligament, or a meniscus.