Evaluation of a new bipolar coagulation forceps in a thermal damage assessment

To determine whether a novel bipolar forceps device that uses heat-pipe technology to manage tissue temperature would result in less tissue injury compared with a conventional antistick forceps design.

In ex vivo and in vivo experiments, lesions were compared at generator powers of 35 and 50 Malis units and at 3- and 10-second activation times. For the ex vivo studies, lesions were produced in specimens of fresh calf liver. Tissue temperatures were measured by using thermocouples placed in the tissue and also estimated by obtaining thermal photography. Rats were used for the in vivo studies, in which lesions were produced on the surface of the exposed cerebral hemispheres and assessed by histological examination. The extent of tissue injury was determined for both the ex vivo and in vivo studies.

Thermographic and thermometric studies revealed significant tissue temperature reductions at the tips of heat-pipe forceps compared with conventional antistick forceps. In both the ex vivo and in vivo studies, there was less tissue injury produced by the heat-pipe forceps, and this difference was most pronounced with longer activation times.

Bipolar forceps containing heat pipes more effectively limits excessive thermal spread, thereby potentially reducing the risk of unintended injury to collateral or peripheral tissue.