Flexible electrosurgical ablation and aspiration electrode with beveled active surface

An active electrode for connection to an electrosurgical device for the bulk vaporization of tissue, the electrosurgical device comprising an elongate cannulated tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end and a tubular lumen extending therebetween, wherein said active electrode comprises an open proximal end, a closed distal end and a tubular lumen extending therebetween and further comprises the following features:

• a) a cylindrical distal portion characterized by a longitudinal axis, an outer diameter, and a first tubular lumen section, wherein said cylindrical distal portion comprises (i) a beveled distal-most ablation surface that forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of said distal portion and (ii) a lateral opening formed in a side wall of said cylindrical distal portion and positioned proximally to said beveled distal-most ablation surface, said opening extending through the side wall of said cylindrical distal portion into the first tubular lumen section of said active electrode;
• b) a cylindrical middle portion characterized by a longitudinal axis, an outer diameter, and a second tubular lumen section, wherein said cylindrical middle portion is positioned proximally to said cylindrical distal portion, further wherein said cylindrical middle portion and said cylindrical distal portion are not coaxial, further wherein the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical middle portion forms a pre-determined acute angle with the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical distal portion;
• c) a cylindrical proximal portion characterized by a longitudinal axis, an outer diameter, and a third tubular lumen section, wherein said cylindrical proximal portion is positioned proximally adjacent to said cylindrical middle portion, further wherein said cylindrical proximal portion is configured for attachment to the distal end of said elongate cannulated tubular member of said electrosurgical device, further wherein the first, second and third tubular lumen sections comprise the tubular lumen of said active electrode that coordinates with the tubular lumen of said elongate cannulated tubular member to form a continuous aspiration path, thereby allowing the flow of vaporization by-products from the region adjacent to the beveled distal-most ablation surface and to the proximal end of the elongate cannulated tubular member of said electrosurgical device.