Abstract: An improved electrosurgical instrument and method is disclosed for reducing smoke generation at a surgical site. The electrosurgical instrument comprises a metal body having an outer insulating layer to reduce thermal/electrical discharge from non-functional portions of the instrument. In one aspect of the invention, an insulating layer having a thermal conductance of about 1.2 W/cm2° K and a dielectric withstand strength of at least about 50 volts is employed. Such insulating layer may advantageously comprise silicon and/or carbon. In another aspect of the invention, the metal body is provided to have a thermal conductivity of at least about 0.35 W/cm° K, and may advantageously comprise a metal selected from the group: gold, silver, aluminum, and copper. Heat sink means may be included in various embodiments to establish a thermal gradient away from functional portions of the instrument (i.e., by removing heat from the metal body).

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed that provides radio-frequency electrical waveforms for performing surgical operations on a tissue mass. The various aspects of the present invention are embodied in an electrosurgical generator that includes a DC regulator, an amplifier, an energy recovery circuit, and a method of controlling these components to generate a desired electrical waveform for an electrosurgical operation.

Abstract: An electrosurgical system is disclosed that applies electrical energy to obtain a predetermined surgical effect, while also reducing eschar deposits on a working surface of an electrosurgical instrument, producing an eschar deposit which is easily removed from the working surface and/or facilitating removal of eschar deposits during a cleaning procedure. Such benefits may be realized by providing a negative bias on the working surface relative to a return path to source during electrosurgical procedures and/or during a cleaning procedure which may include contacting the working surface with an electrically conductive liquid.

Abstract: An electrosurgical generator is disclosed that provides radio-frequency electrical waveforms for performing surgical operations on a tissue mass. The various aspects of the present invention are embodied in an electrosurgical generator that includes a DC regulator, an amplifier, an energy recovery circuit, and a method of controlling these components to generate a desired electrical waveform for an electrosurgical operation.

Abstract: An improved directed energy surgical method and assembly is disclosed. The method and assembly contemplate the application of a directed energy stream to tissue and the application of a liquid mist stream at a particular predetermined transverse angle to the tissue to reduce or eliminate smoke at the surgical site. The invention may be advantageously implemented in an assembly having a surgical pencil for emitting the directed energy stream and liquid mist stream. The liquid mist stream is generated by the surgical pencil, preferably by atomizing a liquid stream supplied thereto (e.g., pressurized via jet atomization). The invention may be utilized in connection with conventional electrosurgical, laser surgery, ultrasound, and other techniques and devices.