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A self-limiting electrosurgical electrode for use with electrosurgery and various other surgical procedures. The electrode can include a pad and a conductive element that collectively has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 Ω·cm. The effective bulk impedance of the elect

A self-limiting electrosurgical electrode for use with electrosurgery and various other surgical procedures. The electrode can include a pad and a conductive element that collectively has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 Ω·cm. The effective bulk impedance of the electrode arises from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof of both the pad and the conductive element. Through the selection of the impedance characteristics for the electrode materials, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. Additionally, the selection of materials and electrode geometries can prevent the creation of pressure sore or decubitus ulcers on a patient resting upon the electrode. Further, alternate configurations of the electrosurgical electrode can heat and/or cool a patient during the performance of a surgical procedure.

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A self-limiting electrosurgical electrode for use with electrosurgery and various other surgical procedures. The electrode can include a pad and a conductive element that collectively has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 Ω·cm. The effective bulk impedance of the elect

A self-limiting electrosurgical electrode for use with electrosurgery and various other surgical procedures. The electrode can include a pad and a conductive element that collectively has an effective bulk impedance equal to or greater than about 4,000 Ω·cm. The effective bulk impedance of the electrode arises from resistive components, capacitive components, inductive components, or combinations thereof of both the pad and the conductive element. Through the selection of the impedance characteristics for the electrode materials, and through tailoring of electrode geometries, the electrode of the present invention is self-regulating and self-limiting as to current density and temperature rise so as to prevent patient trauma. Additionally, the selection of materials and electrode geometries can prevent the creation of pressure sore or decubitus ulcers on a patient resting upon the electrode. Further, alternate configurations of the electrosurgical electrode can heat and/or cool a patient during the performance of a surgical procedure. posed in the body of a patient, said soluble tube is functional as a drainage tube and will eventually fully dissolve and be absorbed by the body; and biological cells for forming a basement membrane or for forming an intracellular matrix and a basement membrane; wherein said soluble tube is coated with said biological cells, incorporates said biological cells or both incorporates and is coated with said biological cells, and wherein said microfistula tube is made of absorbable material. 2. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein the biological cells coat the inner surface of the drainage canal. 3. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microfistula tube is made of a mouldable material. 4. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein the biological cells are endothelial or trabecular meshwork cells. 5. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microfistula tube is made of gelatin or collagen. 6. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microfistula tube is sufficiently rigid to allow ready insertion into a living body. 7. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein the circumferential outer surface of the microfistula tube tapers towards its forward end to facilitate its insertion into body tissues. 8. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein the soluble tube is provided with one or more generally rearwardly projecting barbs or a generally rearwardly projecting skirt. 9. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 8 wherein said one or more barbs or said skirt is near the forward end of said microfistula tube. 10. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microfistula tube is adapted to form a passage from the anterior chamber to Schlemm's canal, and has an interior diameter of between 100 and 200 μm, and a length of between 1 and 3 mm. 11. The microfistula, tube as claimed in claim 10 wherein the microfistula tube has an interior diameter of approximately 150 μm and a length of approximately 2 mm. 12. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microfistula tube is adapted to form a passage from the anterior chamber to the anterior subconjunctival space and has an interior diameter of between 100 and 400 μm and a length of between 2 and 6 mm. 13. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 12 wherein the microfistula tube has an interior diameter of between 250 and 350 μm. 14. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 12 wherein the microfistula tube has an interior diameter of approximately 300 μm and a length of approximately 3 mm. 15. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microfistula tube is adapted to form a passage from the anterior chamber to the episcleral vein, with an inner diameter of between 100 and 300 μm and a length of between 7 and 14 mm. 16. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 15 wherein the microfistula tube has an inner diameter of approximately 150 μm and a length of approximately 10 mm. 17. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1 wherein the microfistula tube is adapted to form a passage from the vitreal cavity to the subarachnoid space of the optic nerve, and has an inner diameter of between 100 and 300 μm and a length of between 3 and 12 mm. 18. The microfistula tube as claimed in claim 17 wherein the microfistula tube has an inner diameter of approximately 150 μm. and a length of approximately 6 mm. 19. A microfistula tube implantation system comprising: the microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1; and a surgical instrument including an outer tube for penetrating body tissue, an inner tube, and an innermost rod, wherein said outer tube, said inner tube and said innermost rod are coaxial, said outer tube is adapted to receive said microfistula tube, whereby the inner tube may be used to push the microfistula tube into position and the innermost rod provides mechanical support during implantation of the microfistula tube. 20. The microfistula tube impl antation system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said microfistula tube is adapted to receive said innermost rod. 21. The microfistula tube implantation system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the outer tube is a hypodermic-type tube. 22. The microfistula tube implantation system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the inner tube is blunt-ended. 23. The microfistula tube implantation system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the innermost rod is of tungsten. 24. The microfistula tube implantation system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the surgical instrument is adapted to be attached to an ultramicrosurgical system. 25. The microfistula tube implantation system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the surgical instrument is adapted to be manipulated by electric motors. 26. A method for the implantation of a microfistula tube comprising: introducing into the vicinity of a desired implantation location the implantation system as claimed in claim 19 with said microfistula tube mounted on the innermost rod, pushing the microfistula tube out of the outer tube and into a desired location by means of the inner tube, the rod moving in unison with the inner tube and the microfistula tube, withdrawing the surgical instrument from the body. 27. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the rod is withdrawn from the microfistula tube before the inner tube is withdrawn. 28. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the rod and inner tube are withdrawn into the outer tube before the inner tube, outer tube and rod are withdrawn from the body. 29. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the desired location is the anterior chamber. 30. A microfistula tube implantation system comprising: the microfistula tube as claimed in claim 1; and a surgical instrument including an outer tube for cutting and penetrating body tissue, and an inner rod, wherein said outer tube and said inner rod are coaxial, said outer tube is adapted to receive said microfistula tube and said inner rod, and said outer tube has a sharp forward end for cutting body tissue, whereby the outer tube may be used to create a passage to an implantation site for said microfistula tube, said inner rod may be used to position a microfistula tube at said site, and said inner rod and outer tube may be withdrawn from said site leaving said microfistula tube in position at said site. 31. A method for the implantation of a microfistula tube comprising: forming a passage with a outer tube of the implantation system as claimed in claim 30 with said microfistula tube in said outer tube forward of said inner rod, advancing said microfistula tube to said implantation site with said inner rod, withdrawing said outer tube, withdrawing said inner rod, and withdrawing the surgical instrument. 32. The method as claimed in claim 31 including withdrawing the outer tube partially, then withdrawing said inner rod partially, followed by withdrawing said inner rod and outer tube in unison. 33. The method as claimed in claim 32 wherein said partial withdrawal of the outer tube continues until said forward of said outer tube is in the anterior chamber. 34. The method as claimed in claim 31 including rotating said outer tube while forming said passage to aid said cutting of said tissue. 35. A microfistula tube comprising: a biocompatible, soluble tube defining a drainage canal having an inner surface; and biological cells for forming a basement membrane or for forming an intracellular matrix and a basement membrane; wherein said soluble tube is coated with said biological cells, incorporates said biological cells or both incorporates and is coated with said biological cells, and wherein said soluble tube is made of gelatin or collagen wherein said microfistula tube has a rearward end having thicker walls to provide improved area and strength to allow the microfistula tube to be pushed into place by pressing against the rearward end of the microfistula tube. 36. The microfistula tube as claimed i