Electrosurgical Unit
Alternative Energies/Interactions with Tissue
All about lasers
UGH more laser stuff and safety
Random Tidbits
100

These are the 3 components of the monopolar ESU.

What are the generator, active electrode, grounding/dispersive pad. 

100

This alternative energy/tool uses mechanical vibrations to cut and coagulate tissues. Produces less charring, no plume, and does not need a grounding pad.

What is ultrasonic energy OR ultrasonic scalpel.

100

This is a type of laser used in surgical procedures. 1 bonus point to the first person who can name 3. 

What is argon, CO2, diode, krypton, Nd:YAG, tunable dye.

100

Name one laser safety precaution. 

Post laser signs on OR doors, wear protective eyewear, do not use flammable solutions, have a basin of sterile water, etc. 

100

This technology allows for at the end of a case, a mat is activated, and a wand is passed over the operative site to detect any missing sponges. 

What is radio-frequency identification (RFID).

200

This mode of the ESU is used for delicate surgical procedures or in patients with implanted pacemakers or metal prostheses.

What is the bipolar ESU.

200

The acronym "laser" means this. 

light amplification by the stimulated emission of radiation.

200

Frequently used for soft tissue ablation in various treatment including dental applications or treatment of vascular lesions. 

What is the diode laser.

200

A laser is named for the active medium it uses. 1 bonus point to the first person who can name them all.

What is gas, solid, liquid, and semiconductor crystals. 

200

These are used to catalogue information on chemicals and solutions used in the HCF.

What are Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

300

This type of coagulation may be used to cauterize large areas of tissue for debridement and debulking, and to achieve hemostasis.

What is argon plasma coagulation.

300

This is one type of the four interactions laser has with tissue. 1 bonus point to the first person who can name them all.

What are absorption, transmission, reflection and scattering.

300

An advantage of this type of laser is that the beams can be transmitted through clear fluids. 1 bonus point to the first person who name the procedures they are useful in.

What is the Nd:YAG/Ho:YAG lasers. BONUS: urological and ophthalmological procedures.

300

This laser is used in shock wave lithotripsy. 

What is tunable dye.

300

Smoke and aerosolized tissue. Formed when tissue is thermally destroyed and vaporized using the ESU, laser, or other surgical devices.

What is tissue plume.

400

These ESU tips allow charred tissue to be easily removed with a sponge. 

What are non-stick Teflon-coated ESU tips.

400

This is a device that uses high-frequency sound waves that create imploding bubbles to fragment and emulsify tumor tissue and leave vascular structures intact.

What is the CUSA (cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator)

400

This laser is frequently used in cases such as lithotripsy and treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. 

What is the Ho:YAG laser.

400

This laser produces a visible blue or green light, so does not need aiming beam. Can travel through clear fluids and tissues, so it is useful in treating diabetic retinopathy.

What is the argon laser. 

500

The dispersive pad should be applied to these types of areas on the body. 

What are large, fleshy areas. 

500

This utilizes a combination of bipolar current and plasma technology to create a thin layer of highly ionized particles that vaporize the tissue without having to make direct contact.

What is plasma vaporization.

500

This lasers laser beam is absorbed less by hemoglobin compared to the argon laser beam, so ophthalmologists are increasingly using this laser to destroy tissue on the retina of the eye.

What is the krypton laser.

500

These 2 lasers are the instruments of choice for laser bronchoscopy.

What are the CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers.
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