What is an electrosurgical knife?

The electrosurgical unit is a very important medical and electronic equipment in the health sector, since this equipment is capable of producing high frequency electromagnetic waves, with which it is possible to cut and coagulate soft human tissue. This device uses electrical phenomena to produce heat; its objective is to coagulate, glow, desiccate or cut tissues, depending on the established parameters.

How does the electrosurgical unit work?

The production of heat is achieved through the passage of an oscillatory electric current, concentrated in a small area. The smaller the space in which the current flows, the higher the energy density at this point, resulting in higher and higher temperatures.

The heat energy comes from the electrons moving from the atoms at the rate of a difference in electrical potential; This movement of particles produces photons that carry energy, which is transformed into heat energy.

The energy necessary for its operation is taken from the electrical network, and is transformed into direct current by the internal power supply. This module is responsible for providing energy to all the others. The radio frequency oscillator module creates the carrier wave, and the coagulation oscillator the modulating signal. These two waves are mixed in the modulator. They are then enlarged in the power amplifier, to exit, according to selection, through the monopolar socket towards the electrosurgery pencil, or the bipolar socket, towards the coagulator forceps.

What are the parts of the electrosurgical unit?

  • Indicators of the operating modes.
  • Power selectors.
  • Foot switch.

Waves used by the electrosurgical unit

Before defining the modes of operation, we must highlight the characteristics of each type of wave that can be used. In this case, the wave refers to the variations of the alternating current. Among the types of waves we find: highly damped, moderately damped, combined current, pure sine wave

What are the modes of operation of an electrosurgical unit?

  • Cut: The frequency of direct current induces heat in wave form and explodes the cells of the tissue immediately in front of the guided sheet. To technically obtain the cutting condition, the thinnest possible contact electrodes will be used.
  • Fulguration: Refers to the use of a single treatment electrode capable of producing a spark without touching the tissue. In this process the tissue is superficially charred by high voltage and repeated electrosurgical arcs.
  • Desiccation: It is the superficial destruction of tissues, by dehydration. It is essentially the same as fulguration, except that the treatment electrode is in contact with the tissue and does not produce sparks. The tip of the electrode is gently moved across the surface of the treated lesion or inserted into thick keratotic lesions
  • Coagulation: The electrosurgical unit produces the denaturation of proteins and uses a biterminal method. In electrocoagulation the current is low voltage and high amperage. Due to this, it produces more heat than desiccation, with a greater destructive effect, making it more penetrating.

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