Abstract: The invention provides an electrosurgical unit comprising a radio-frequency power source and a pump, with the throughput of fluid expelled by the pump controlled by the RF power level setting and fluid flow rate setting. The invention also provides various electrosurgical devices which may be used with the electrosurgical unit. In one embodiment, the electrosurgical device comprises a first electrode tip spaced next to a second electrode tip with a portion of the first electrode tip facing the second electrode tip and a portion of the second electrode tip facing the first electrode tip, the first electrode tip and the second electrode tip both having a spherical distal end, and a fluid outlet arrangement to expel fluid onto the electrode tips solely at locations remote from the electrode tip portions facing each other.

Abstract: The invention provides surgical devices and methods to treat tissue. In one device embodiment, the invention comprises a bipolar electrosurgical device to treat tissue in a presence of radio frequency power and a fluid provided simultaneously from a distal portion of the device, with the device comprising a disc shaped distal end. In one method embodiment, the invention comprises a method of treating tissue having a blood vessel during spine surgery, with the method comprising pressing a portion of the blood vessel against a supporting spine structure with a surgical device to provide a compressed portion of the blood vessel, and heating the compressed portion of the blood vessel with the surgical device sufficiently to inhibit a blood flow through the vessel after the surgical device is removed from the blood vessel.