Abstract: A method and device for electrical emulation of pulsed laser is disclosed. The device utilizes high voltage electrical discharges of sub-microsecond duration in a liquid medium to produce cavitation bubbles of sub-millimeter size for use in high speed precision cutting. Such bubbles are produced by a micro-electrode (1.6) having a central wire having a diameter of 1 microns to 100 microns embedded in an insulator. A coaxial electrode (1.9) surrounds the insulator, and may be spaced from the outer surface of insulator to provide a path for removing tissue.

Abstract: A method for performing electrosurgery using sub-microsecond, high-power electrical pulses applied to an electrosurgical probe endface. The probe endface has an area of about 200-1000 microns.sup.2. The pulses have a duration less than 300 nanoseconds, and preferably have very fast risetimes and very fast falltimes (e.g. less than 100 nanoseconds). The pulses also have power dissipation greater than 500 Watts (e.g. 800-2500 Watts), or voltage greater than 1.5 kV (e.g. 2-3 kV). These pulse characteristics provide for reduced collateral damage, and effective cutting of tissue. Cutting is mainly provided by plasma streamers which are formed on the probe tip endface. However, cutting is also provided by shock waves formed by the discharges. The method is applicable to microsurgical procedures such as retinal surgery and capsulotomy. Also disclosed are electrical circuits for performing the method.