Saline contact with electrodes

A releasable diverter assembly for an electrosurgical device, the assembly comprising:

• an assembly body comprising a first receptacle configured to receive a first electrode of the electrosurgical device and a second receptacle configured to receive a second electrode of the electrosurgical device;
• a first electrode contact mounted on the assembly body and proximate to the first receptacle;
• a second electrode contact mounted on the assembly body and proximate to the second receptacle;
• a conduit configured to receive a fluid from a fluid source port of the electrosurgical device;
• and
• a diverter disposed between the first electrode contact and the second electrode contact,
• wherein the diverter comprises a porous material having a matrix and a plurality of voids disposed therein, and
• wherein the plurality of voids is fluidically coupled to the conduit.

A shaft assembly of an electrosurgical device, the shaft assembly comprising:

• a first electrode and a second electrode;
• a first fluid cannula having a first distal fluid source port and disposed proximate to an outer surface of the first electrode;
• a second fluid cannula having a second distal fluid source port and disposed proximate to an outer surface of the second electrode;
• a distal fluid evacuation port disposed at least in part between the first electrode and the second electrode;
• and
• a shaft configured to enclose the first electrode, the second electrode, the first fluid cannula, and the second fluid cannula.

An end effector of an electrosurgical device comprising:

• a distal fluid discharge port in fluid communication with a first fluid path, wherein the distal fluid discharge port comprises a distal orifice;
• a distal fluid aspiration port in fluid communication with a second fluid path;
• a first electrode and a second electrode;
• and
• a diverter in mechanical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, and disposed therebetween,
• wherein the diverter has a first surface comprising a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of the distal fluid discharge port,
• wherein a proximal edge of the diverter is adjacent to the distal orifice, and
• wherein the diverter is configured to receive, on the first surface, at least a portion of a fluid emitted by the distal fluid discharge port, and to maintain a contact of the fluid thereon with a surface of the first electrode and a surface of the second electrode.