The development of non-sticking, passively cooled electrosurgical instruments

Abstract

An undesired side effect of electrosurgery includes tissue charring, smoke generation and the adhesion of tissue to electrodes. These effects prolong surgery and interfere with effective coagulation. New instruments are described that remove heat from the tips thereby maintaining their temperature below the sticking temperature. These cooled instruments cauterize normally but eliminate sticking and reduce char and smoke formation. These instruments are fabricated using heat pipes that passively dissipate heat along their length via natural convection. Infrared imaging is used to characterize performance and optimize electrode heat transfer surface area. In-vivo animal testing demonstrates excellent haemostasis while eliminating sticking. These new instruments may speed surgery and enable new applications for electrocautery.