Principles of Electrosurgery in the OR
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
Principles of Electrosurgery
Frequency Spectrum
Standard electrical current alternates at a frequency of 60 cycles per second (Hz). Electrosurgical systems could function at this frequency, but because current would be transmitted through body tissue at 60 cycles, excessive neuromuscular stimulation and perhaps electrocution would result.
Because nerve and muscle stimulation cease at 100,000 cycles/second (100 kHz), electrosurgery can be performed safely at “radio” frequencies above 100 kHz. An electrosurgical generator takes 60 cycle current and increases the frequency to over 200,000 cycles per second. At this frequency electrosurgical energy can pass through the patient with minimal neuromuscular stimulation and no risk of electrocution.