Medical ablation system and method of use

Abstract

Cartilage and other tissues are treated by generating a plasma in an interior space of a probe and exposing the tissue to the plasma. The plasma is released through a gap in a working end of the probe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating a target tissue, said method comprising:
 flowing a conductive media through a gap in a working end of a probe;   igniting the conductive media as it flows the gap to produce a plasma within the gap, wherein the gap is sufficiently fluid tight to inhibit liquid flow but permit propagation of the plasma therethrough; and   exposing the target tissue to the plasma.