Electrosurgical bipolars
Electrosurgical bipolars (also known as bipolar electrosurgical instruments) are specialised medical devices used in electrosurgery to cut, coagulate, or cauterise tissue while minimising the risk of collateral damage to surrounding tissues.
Key features of electrosurgical bipolars
They are part of a broader category of electrosurgical tools that use high-frequency electrical currents to treat tissue in a controlled manner. Unlike monopolar electrosurgical instruments, which use a single electrode and require a grounding pad, bipolar electrosurgical instruments use two electrodes that are located at the tips of the instrument, making them particularly effective for delicate or precise procedures.
Two electrode tips
Bipolar electrosurgical instruments have two active electrodes at the tips of the instrument (as opposed to monopolar instruments that have one electrode). These tips are typically placed close together and allow the electrical current to flow between them through the tissue.
Electrical current flow
The electrical current passes directly between the two electrodes at the tips, which results in tissue being coagulated or cut in the area between them. The current is highly focused, meaning it affects only the tissue between the tips, reducing the risk of injury to surrounding tissues.
No grounding pad required
Since the current flows directly between the two electrodes, bipolar electrosurgical instruments do not require a grounding pad (a key component for monopolar devices). This feature reduces the risk of burns or injury to the patient and is one of the key benefits of using bipolar instruments.
Coagulation and cutting
Bipolar electrosurgical instruments can be used for both coagulation (to stop bleeding) and cutting (to remove or divide tissue). They are typically controlled by the surgeon through a hand switch or foot pedal to select the appropriate mode for the procedure.
Variety of tips and shapes
The tips of bipolar electrosurgical instruments come in various shapes and sizes, including forceps-like tips for grasping tissue, needle-like tips for precise cutting, or loop tips for coagulating larger vessels. The design of the instrument is tailored to the specific needs of different surgical specialties.
How electrosurgical bipolars work:
Coagulation mode
When the surgeon applies current to the tissue between the two electrodes, the heat generated causes the tissue proteins to coagulate. This coagulation "seals" blood vessels and prevents further bleeding, making bipolar instruments especially useful in controlling hemorrhage during surgery.
Cutting mode
In cutting mode, the electrical current is delivered in a more continuous manner, causing tissue to vaporise along the line of the electrode tips. This allows for precise incisions with minimal thermal damage to surrounding tissue.
Tissue sealing
Bipolar electrosurgical instruments are particularly effective at tissue sealing, especially in delicate surgeries like those involving blood vessels, where it is important to avoid unnecessary tissue damage while achieving hemostasis.
Types of electrosurgical bipolars:
Bipolar forceps: These are the most common type of bipolar instruments, resembling forceps or tweezers, with two tips that can grasp and apply electrical current to tissue. They are widely used in delicate surgeries to coagulate or divide tissue while minimising bleeding.
Bipolar scissors: Similar to standard surgical scissors, but with electrodes at the blades’ tips. These are used for cutting and coagulating tissues simultaneously in a precise and controlled manner.
Bipolar needle electrodes: These are used for precise coagulation or cutting in specific targeted areas, often in dermatology or eye surgery.
Bipolar clamps: These instruments clamp down on blood vessels or tissues and then apply electrical current to coagulate or cauterise the tissue, preventing bleeding during surgery.
In summary
Electrosurgical bipolars are highly effective surgical tools that offer precise control over cutting and coagulation during surgery. They are particularly beneficial for delicate procedures, where both tissue precision and hemostasis are required. Their ability to localise the current between two electrodes ensures minimal damage to surrounding tissues, reduces bleeding, and eliminates the need for a grounding pad. As such, they are widely used in a variety of surgical disciplines, from general surgery to neurosurgery and gynecology, making them indispensable in modern surgical practice.
Talk to us
Interested to know more about us and our product portfolio?
We’d love to know how we can help you.
What customers say about our company
Resources
- FIM study – 20-pt prospective, single-center. Proof-of-Concept study in BCF Patients.
- EXT study – 40-pt multi-center, randomized-controlled study demonstrating improvement over standard of care.
- RCF Analysis – 33-pt, single-center, retrospective RCF study with 17-pt historical control demonstrating improvement over standard of care.
