Electrosurgical electrode and methods for its use

An electrode for use in electrosurgery, comprising:

• an electrode head at a distal end of the electrode, the electrode head having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the electrode head has a cross-sectional area at the distal end that is substantially equal to or less than the cross-sectional area of the electrode head between the distal end and the proximal end;
• and
• an enlarged electrode base joined to the proximal end of the electrode head, wherein the electrode base generally has a substantially larger cross-sectional area than the electrode head;
• wherein both the electrode head and the electrode base are composed of a thermally conductive material having a thermal conductivity greater than about 169 BTU/(hr·ft·° F.).

A monopolar electrode for use in electrosurgery, comprising:

• an electrode head at a distal end of the electrode, the head having a distal and a proximal end, wherein the head has a cross-sectional area at the distal end that is substantially equal to or less than the cross-sectional area of the head between the distal end and the proximal end;
• and
• a thermal reservoir joining the electrode head at a position spaced apart from the distal end, the thermal reservoir generally having a greater cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the electrode head to enhance the heat flow from the electrode tip to the thermal reservoir to reduce the temperature of the electrode head during electrosurgery;
• wherein the electrode head and thermal reservoir are composed of at least 90% silver by weight, with the remainder being a bio-compatible material, wherein the silver has been work-hardened by at least 10%.

An electrode assembly comprising:

• a core element having a proximal end, a distal end, and a shank region that is located between said proximal end and said distal end of said core element;
• a tip extension located at said distal end of said core element;
• a distal tip located at a distal end of said tip extension;
• said tip extension having an average width in a range of from about 0.1 mm to about 15 mm, and a length at least equal to said average width of said tip extension;
• said shank region having a cross-sectional area equal to or greater than a cross-sectional area of said tip extension;
• said shank region having a length at least equal to said average width of said tip extension;
• said core element being composed of a thermally conductive material having a thermal conductivity greater than about 169 BTU/(hr·ft·° F.);
• a connector electrically coupled to said proximal end of said core element;
• and
• an insulating sleeve located over said shank region;
• said insulating sleeve having an internal width that is sufficiently large to form air gap between an inner surface of said insulating sleeve and an outer surface of said shank region.