an electrosurgical device for devitalizing tissue including a probe body , equipped with at least one electrode , and a cooling device . the probe body is suitable for generating a heat distribution field by means of a high - frequency current for devitalizing the tissue . the cooling device prevents carbonization of the tissue close to the probe body that would normally occur since the maximum current density occurs here . the electrosurgical device is modified such that the heat distribution over the probe body can be adjusted , allowing adjustment or positioning of a maximum cooling zone within the probe body . this regulation may be accomplished by regulating the inlet pressure of the refrigerant supply to the electrosurgical device .