Surgical Instrument and Method for Use Thereof

An electrosurgical system, comprising:

• a handpiece;
• a tissue engaging portion arranged to be received by the handpiece, the tissue engaging portion comprising
• first and second opposed electrodes of opposite polarity, the electrodes having an open position and a closed position for engaging the tissue therebetween, and
• a cooling member spaced from and generally surrounding each electrode, the cooling members having an open position and a closed position for engaging the tissue;
• and
• an electrosurgical generator for supplying radio frequency energy to the electrodes,
• wherein positioning the electrodes in their closed position and applying energy to the tissue allows for treatment of the tissue, and positioning the cooling members in their closed position provides at least one of a pressure gradient or a thermal gradient between the electrodes and the cooling members.

A surgical instrument for treating a tissue, comprising:

• a handpiece;
• and
• first and second opposed, electrically conductive cooling members having an open position and a closed position for engaging the tissue therebetween, the first and second cooling members containing a coolant and arranged to receive surgical energy from a surgical generator,
• wherein positioning the cooling members in their closed position and applying surgical energy to the tissue allows for treatment of the tissue, and activating the coolant decreases the temperature of the tissue.

A method for treating a tissue, comprising:

• providing a surgical instrument comprising a handpiece and a tissue engaging portion arranged to be received by the handpiece, the tissue engaging portion comprising first and second opposed jaw members having an open position and a closed position for engaging the tissue therebetween, the first and second jaw members arranged to receive surgical energy from a surgical generator, and at least one cooling member spaced from at least one of the first and second jaw members, the at least one cooling member having an open position and a closed position for engaging the tissue;
• positioning the jaw members in their closed position and applying surgical energy to the tissue;
• and
• positioning the at least one cooling member in its closed position to provide at least one of a pressure gradient or a thermal gradient between the jaw members and the at least one cooling member.