WHAT IS AN ELECTROSURGICAL UNIT?
The electrosurgical unit is a tool or instrument used by all healthcare professionals who need to perform incisions on soft tissues or coagulations. The dental electrosurgical unit is essential for all dentists, and although there are different types, they must all be bipolar and provide maximum precision.
The electrosurgical unit is a surgical instrument that stands out primarily because it is used to cut tissue while simultaneously cauterizing it. This way, it is possible to work without causing bleeding. It is also worth mentioning that it can be referred to as an electrocautery, HF device, or surgical unit.
If you are interested in knowing the difference between a monopolar and bipolar electrosurgical unit, the characteristics of each regarding quality, and the different types you can find on the market, keep reading.
HOW DOES AN ELECTROSURGICAL OR SURGICAL UNIT WORK?
The electrosurgical unit or electrocautery has a relatively simple operation based on direct and alternating current. It is a device that converts electrical energy into heat. This is because, by cutting or removing soft tissue, it can cauterize it without causing hemorrhaging. This is all thanks to currents above 200,000 Hz, as lower frequencies would not burn and could also affect bodily nerves.
Its mode of operation is as follows:
First, it causes high-frequency current to circulate at a medium–high intensity between two electrodes applied to the body. In this way, heat is produced at the point where pressure is applied, cutting or coagulating the soft tissue, i.e., the skin. The cut can also be called electrosection and the coagulation, electrocoagulation, to differentiate it from the action of a manual scalpel.
Electrosurgical unit currents can be direct or galvanic and alternating.
In direct current, there is a constant exchange of electrons in a single direction between two opposite poles.
In contrast, in alternating current, a bidirectional exchange of electrons occurs rather than in a single direction. The magnitude and direction change cyclically in a sinusoidal manner (single frequency with constant amplitude).
TYPES OF ELECTROSURGICAL UNITS
Electrosurgical units are divided into two groups: monopolar and bipolar. These concepts refer directly to energies, currents, and directions.
Also, it is possible to divide them into disposable and non-disposable, although this information does not provide much additional insight into them.
MONOPOLAR ELECTROSURGICAL UNIT
The monopolar electrosurgical unit has a large electrode called the return electrode and a smaller one called the active electrode, which is where the heat is generated. Thus, depending on its shape, one effect or another is achieved on the skin or soft tissue.
They usually have two buttons to choose between cutting and coagulation.
BIPOLAR ELECTROSURGICAL UNIT
This is the dental electrosurgical unit par excellence, and unlike the monopolar one, as its name suggests, instead of using a clamp, two are used.
The electrical current is applied between both and produces a very precise current, more so than the monopolar one. For this reason, in addition to the dental electrosurgical unit always being bipolar, surgical scalpels in general are also usually bipolar.
On the other hand, given that its current is of high power, care and prevention must be taken as unwanted results could appear when performing a section.
Within bipolar electrosurgical units, there are many types, just as there are among those used by dentists. The Servotome electrosurgical unit is one of the most popular in the field of oral health.
SERVOTOME ELECTROSURGICAL UNIT
The Servotome electrosurgical unit is one of the most popular electrosurgical units in the field of dentistry. However, since there is not just one type of electrosurgical unit among the different brands, it is necessary to consider the multiple differences between them. These will be totally significant when choosing one or the other for a dental clinic.
For that reason, we will present the features that differentiate the Servotome Gama II electrosurgical unit.
SERVOTOME GAMA II ELECTROSURGICAL UNIT
The Servotome Gama II electrosurgical unit is from the Acteon (Satelec) brand and is specially designed for oral surgery. It also stands out because it can usually be obtained together with a kit containing other highly useful tools.
These are some of its features and benefits:
- It is compact, small in size, and appropriate for the hand and wrist movements.
- It has a power of 30W and 10 electrodes.
- It only has two potentiometers for greater ease of use: one for cutting and one for coagulation. These can also be adjusted for each type of tissue.
- Saves time thanks to its easy handling and power.
- It is ideal for use in surgeries and interventions, for prosthetics, or dental conservation and restoration.
- Thanks to its particular system, it can be "rectified". This is common in Servotome scalpels.
- It can completely filter the power supply voltage.
- The high-frequency current provides an exact and precise cut of high quality.
- Allows for simultaneous cutting and coagulation.
- Its electronic system has feedback and therefore continuously adapts to the intensity.
- Likewise, it has a bracelet system that prevents heat concentration and improves conductivity.
- All this in a complete package.
The contents of the Servotome Gama II electrosurgical unit package for oral surgery contain:
- 1 Servotome Gama II Electrosurgical Unit.
- 1 Case of 10 electrodes that covers any usage need that may arise.
- 1 Cable.
- 1 Sterilizable electrode holder.
