Voltage threshold ablation apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of electrosurgery, and more particularly to systems and methods for ablating, cauterizing and/or coagulating body tissue using radio frequency energy. More in particular, the systems utilize voltage threshold means for controlling the voltage applied to tissue in a cycle-to-cycle manner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A surgical probe for applying electrical energy to tissue, the probe working end having an electrically non-conductive tissue-contacting surface with a thickness of less than about 1000 microns and an interior electrode within an interior of the working end coupled to an electrical source, and a voltage threshold switch mechanism operatively coupled with the electrical source and the interior electrode, said switch located proximal the inferior of the working end or within an interior of a handle portion of the probe.