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Glossary
Active Electrode An electrosurgical instrument or accessory that
concentrates the electric current at the surgical site.
Bipolar Electrosurgery Electrosurgery in which current flows locally
between two electrodes that are positioned around
a segment of tissue to create a surgical effect
(usually desiccation). Current passes from one
electrode, through the desired tissue, to the other
electrode, thus completing the circuit without
entering any other part of the patient’s body.
Capacitive Coupling The passage of high frequency electrical current
from one conductor to an adjacent conductor, even
though the conductors are separated by air, or
insulation.
Coagulation The electrosurgical effect that results from heating
due to high current density in the tissue causing
cellular fluid to evaporate. This disrupts the tissue
structure, shrinking the open vessels and creating a
coagulum mass. This combination of tissue
reformation results in hemostasis. A high voltage
waveform is generally used with intermittent
application of current.
Contact Area w/Mega 2000 Area of the reusable electrode which bears the
Return Electrodes weight of the patient.
Current The flow of electrons in a circuit measured in
amperes. An ampere is defined as the number of
electrons moving past a given point per second.
The flow of electricity.
Cutting The electrosurgical effect which results from high
current density in the tissue causing cellular fluid to
convert to steam and burst the cell structure.
Voltage is low and current is high.
Direct Coupling The condition that occurs when one electrical
conductor (the active electrode) comes into direct
contact with another secondary conductor (tissue,
scopes, graspers). Electrical current will flow from
the first conductor into the secondary one and
energize it.
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