A new electrosurgical ball electrode (SilverBulletTM) has been developed for applying radiofrequency (RF) energy to fuse biological and other materials to tissue surfaces. Specifically, the electrode was developed for use in conjunction with the Fusion Medical Technologies, Inc. gelatin patch (RapiSealTM) for use in pulmonary surgery to seal air leaks, and in solid abdominal organ surgeries to provide hemostatic tamponade. The new electrode allows for the application of RF energy in contact mode without the problems of the electrode sticking to the gelatin patch or the underlying tissue. Designed for use with commercially available electrosurgical handpieces, the electrode consists of a stainless steel connector that fits into the hand- piece, and an electrode assembly made from silver that includes a shank region, and a tip extension extending distally from the shank region. The distal tip of the tip extension is rounded and has a length of about 10 mm. The uniqueness of this electrode is the shank region which has a cross sectional area that is larger than the tip extension. The shank region acts as a heat sink to draw away heat from the tip extension while the tip extension itself remains sufficiently small to access desired target sites and display the desired energy transfer properties. In addition to the physical design, the use of silver as the core element provides a material with high electrical and thermal conductivities. The bulk of the electrode is appropriately insulated.