Tissue Effects Change as You Modify the Waveform
Electrosurgical Tissue Effects
Grounded Electrosurgical Systems
Isolated Electrosurgical Systems
Patient Return Electrode Monitoring Technology
Electrosurgery Safety Concerns During MIS
Capacitive Coupling During Endoscopy
Recommendations to Avoid Electrosurgical Patient Complications in MIS
Properties of Electricity
| CURRENT = |
Flow of electrons during a period of time, measured in amperes |
| CIRCUIT = |
Pathway for the uninterrupted flow of electrons |
| VOLTAGE = |
Force pushing current through the resistance, measured in volts |
| Obstacle to the flow of current, measured in ohms (impedance = resistance) |
Several properties of electricity must be understood in order to understand electrosurgery. Electrons orbit the nuclei of atoms. Current flow occurs when electrons flow from one atom to the orbit of an adjacent atom. Voltage is the "force" or "push" that provides electrons with the ability to travel from atom to atom. If electrons encounter resistance, heat will be produced. The resistance to electron flow is called impedance.
A completed circuit must be present in order for electrons to flow. A completed circuit is an intact pathway through which electrons can travel. In this diagram, voltage is generated by the power plant, providing the force to push electrons through the circuit. The original source of these electrons is the earth (ground).To complete the circuit the electrons must return to ground. Any grounded object can complete the circuit - allowing the electrons to flow to ground.