Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided for promoting 
blood flow to a 
target tissue. In one aspect, the invention involves canalizing or boring channels, divots, trenches or holes through an avascular 
connective tissue, or through a tissue having sparse vascularity, such as a 
tendon or a 
meniscus, in order to increase 
blood flow within the tissue. In one method, an 
active electrode is positioned in close proximity to a 
target site on a 
tendon, and a 
high frequency voltage difference is applied between the 
active electrode and a return 
electrode to selectively ablate 
tendon tissue at the 
target site, thereby forming a channel or void in the tendon. The 
active electrode(s) may be moved relative to the tendon during, or after, the application of electrical energy to damage or sculpt a void within the tendon, such as a hole, channel, crater, or the like. In another aspect of the invention, an electrosurgical probe is used to elicit a 
wound healing response in a 
target tissue, such as an injured tendon, in order to stimulate vascularization of the 
target tissue. The present invention may also be used for vascularization of a torn or damaged tissue in conjunction with a 
surgical repair procedure.