Abstract: An electrosurgical electrode having a distal end for transferring the energy to the tissue and a thermal reservoir spaced apart from the distal end. The materials and shape of the electrode promote the flow of heat away from the distal tip so as to reduce the temperature of the tip during electrosurgery, to reduce tissue damage and to prevent the tissue from sticking to the electrode tip. The electrode is composed of a bio-compatible and highly thermally conductive metal, such as silver or gold of high purity, or alloy of those two metals. The shape provides a cross-sectional area that is constant or increasing as the distance from the tip increases. The rounded distal end transitions into a cylindrical section which then transitions into the thermal reservoir. The thermal reservoir is also cylindrical, having a cross-sectional area that is larger than the cross-sectional area of the first cylindrical section.

Abstract: Electrosurgical forceps including two electrodes, each having a tip that is composed of a material that has the characteristics of electrical conductivity, high thermal diffusivity, and biocompatibility. Such characteristics allow the forceps to be used in medical applications to perform electrosurgery with a minimum of sticking to the tissue. These desired characteristics are found with pure silver and pure gold, as well as biocompatible alloys of silver and/or gold that are nearly entirely composed of silver and/or gold. The electrodes may include a thermal reservoir of this material spaced apart from a distal end of the electrode, with the thermal reservoir having a greater cross-sectional area than the distal end.