| abstract |
An electro-surgical device (11) for performing tissue resection and cauterization includes an elongated body, a pair of arms extending from a distal end of the elongated body, and an electrode (12) in communication with the pair of arms. The elongated body is adapted to be coupled to a source of energy at a proximal end. The electrode (12) has a first region coated with an insulative coating and a second region for focusing energy emission. The coating can be a diamond-like carbon coating or other coating exhibiting resistance to cracking at high temperatures and high voltages. The coating can be deposited on a base section of a loop electrode (14) while the end sections remain free of the coating. Alternatively, the coating can be unevenly deposited on the electrode. In other embodiments, the electrode can comprise a rollerball and the insulative coating can be deposited on selected or random portions of the rollerball. The insulative coating prevents energy loss to fluid and tissue during the operation, thus allowing resection and cauterization to be efficiently performed. |