Energy Sources in Surgery Flashcards
The complete destruction of tissue.
Ablation:
In electrosurgery, the point of the electrosurgical
instrument that delivers current to tissue.
Active electrode:
An electrosurgical circuit in which current travels
from the power unit through an instrument containing two
opposite poles in contact with the tissue and then returns
directly to the energy source.
Bipolar circuit:
A specific burn hazard of monopolar
endoscopic surgery. It occurs when current passes
unintentionally through instrument insulation and adjacent
conductive material into tissue.
Capacitive coupling:
This instrument
destroys tissue through the use of high-frequency sound waves
(ultrasound). Used in Neurosurgery.
Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA):
The use of extremely low temperature to destroy
diseased tissue.
Cryosurgery:
The transfer of electrical current from an active
electrode to another conductive instrument by accident or as part of the electrosurgical process.
Direct coupling:
The direct use of electricity to cut and coagulate tissue.
Electrosurgery:
The power generator and control source
in the electrosurgical system.
Electrosurgical unit (ESU):
Charred tissue created by a high-voltage current.
Eschar:
The constriction of electrical current by a
nonconductive material.
Impedance:
Acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of
radiation.
Laser:
In electrosurgery, a continuous path of
electricity that flows from the electrosurgical unit to the active
electrode, through the patient to the patient return electrode,
and then back to the electrosurgical unit.
Monopolar circuit:
The quality of a substance that resists the transfer
of electrons and therefore electrical current.
Nonconductive:
A critical component of the
monopolar electrosurgical circuit, the PRE is a conductive pad
that captures electricity and shunts it safely out of the body
and back to the electrosurgical unit. Also called the dispersive
electrode.
Patient return electrode (PRE):
High-frequency energy created by vibration or
excitation of molecules. This type of energy destroys tissue by
breaking molecular bonds.
Ultrasonic energy:
In electrosurgery, a combination of intermediate frequency & intermediate wave intervals to produce a specific effect on tissue.
Blended mode
An alternate name for the patient return electrode
Grounding pad
The ESU power source is often referred to
a Bovie
The bipolar unit is used mainly on
low-impedance tissue because the low voltage is not strong enough to penetrate effectively through tissue such as bone or fat.
All the waves in the laser have exactly the same length
monochromatic
The waves are lined up so that their peaks and troughs are in exactly the same location
coherency
the beam can pass through the cornea, vitreous, and lens of the eye without burning these tissues. The argon beam is used for coagulation and for sealing or welding tissue.
Argon gas lasers
Its beam is outside the visible light range and able to penetrate all tissue types. This laser is used to cut, shave, contour, ablate, and coagulate tissue.
Holmium:yag solid
This laser produces a cool beam by stripping electrons from the atoms of the medium in the chamber. This causes the energy bonds in the atom to break. The resulting shock waves stimulate short bursts of laser light. The light is delivered to the target tissue through fiberoptic bundles.
Excimer gas
Toxic smoke emitted by tissue during electrosurgery and laser surgery.
smoke plume:
coagulation occurs with intermittent applications of energy
fulguration:
What are the effects of a laser?
absorption, reflection, scattering, transmission
Class 4 classification of risk
permanent damage to eye
The medical laser most commonly used in surgery. The beam is strongly absorbed by water.
Carbon Dioxide Laser (CO2)
This laser is not absorbed by clear tissue, making it useful for retinal surgery.
Argon Lasr
This laser produces a beam outside the visible range; therefore, an aiming beam is necessary. Often used in urology to crush stones
Holmium Laser
This laser uses a combination of inert gases. Often used in ophthalmology.
Excimer Lase
Agency that regulates the use of medical lasers
ANSI - American National Standards Institute
What PPE is used for laser surgery?
Laser Eyewear
Identify
This laser is the most widely used in surgery.
Carbon Dioxide Laser (CO2)
Identify
This laser is versatile as it can cut, ablate, coagulate, and contour tissues of all types. Mostly used in urology to crush stones.
Holmium Laser
Identify
PPE that must be worn during laser procedures.
Laser Eyewear
Identify
This is a very common electrosurgical device that allows tissue to be cut and coagulated.
Bovie (Monoplar)
Identify
This is placed on the patient to return the electrosurgical current to ground.
Grounding Pad (Inactive electrode; Dispersive pad)
Identify
Radioactive Warning Symbol
Identify
Laser Warning Symbol
Identify
Biological Hazard Warning Symbol
Identify
Flammable Warning Symbol
Identify
Corrosive Warning Symbol
