Methods and apparatus for surgical cutting

An electrosurgical probe comprising:

• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end;
• an electrode array disposed near the distal end of the shaft, said array including a plurality of electrically isolated electrode terminals disposed over a contact surface;
• a connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode terminals to one or more high frequency voltage sources;
• and
• a plurality of current limiting elements coupled to each of the electrode terminals for selectively limiting or interrupting current flow to the electrode terminals.

An electrosurgical probe for ablating a tissue structure at a target site comprising:

• a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end with a distal tip;
• at least one electrode terminal disposed near the distal end of the shaft;
• a return electrode spaced from the electrode terminal;
• at least one connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode terminal to a high frequency voltage source;
• and
• wherein the electrode terminal and the return electrode are in contact with electrically conducting fluid, wherein voltage applied between the electrode terminal and the return electrode causes ablation of a tissue structure at the target site while minimizing energy dissipation to the electrically conducting fluid.

An electrosurgical probe for ablating a tissue structure at a target site comprising;

• a shaft having a proximal end, a distal end with a distal tip;
• an inorganic electrically insulating member at or near the distal end of the shaft;
• at least one electrode terminal substantially surrounded by the inorganic electrically insulating member and having a tissue treatment portion;
• a return electrode having an exposed fluid contact surface with a surface area substantially larger than the electrode terminal;
• at least one connector disposed near the proximal end of the shaft for electrically coupling the electrode terminal to a high frequency voltage source;
• and
• wherein the return electrode is spaced from the electrode terminal such that when the tissue treatment portion of the electrode terminal is brought adjacent a tissue structure immersed in electrically conductive fluid, the fluid contact surface of the return electrode is spaced from the tissue structure and the electrically conductive fluid completes a conduction path between the electrode terminal and the return electrode.