Coblation

Coblation® technology - a controlled, non-heat driven process - uses radiofrequency energy to excite the electrolytes in a conductive medium, such as saline solution, creating a precisely focused plasma.

The plasma's energized particles have sufficient energy to break molecular bond within tissue, causing tissue to dissolve at relatively low temperatures (typically 40°C to 70°C). The result is volumetric removal of target tissue with minimal damage surrounding tissue. Many Coblation devices also are designed to stop blood (hemostasis) and coagulate or seal bleeding vessels.

Cooler Temperatures Because radiofrequency current does not pass directly through tissue during the Coblation process, tissue heating is minimal. Most of the heat is consumed in the plasma layer, or in other words, by the ionization process. These ions then bombard tissue in their path, causing molecular bonds to simply break apart and tissue to dissolve.

	Coblation-based Devices	Conventional Electrosurgical Devices
Temperatures	40°C to 70°C	MORE THAN 400°C
Thermal Penetration	Minimal	Deep
Effects on target tissue	Gentle removal, dissolution	Rapid heating, charring, burning, cutting
Effects on surrounding tissue	Minimal dissolution	Inadvertent charring or burning

Jean Woloszko, Member, IEEE, Kenneth R. Stalder, Member, IEEE, and Ian G. Brown, Fellow, IEEE. Plasma Characteristics of Repetitively-Pulsed Electrical Discharges in Saline Solutions Used for Surgical Procedures. IEEE Transactions on Plasma Science, June 2002; VOL. 30, NO. 3.

K.R. Stadler, J. Woloszko, I.G. Brown, C.D. Smith. Repetitive plasma discharges in saline solutions. Applied Physics Letters, December 31, 2001. VOL.79, NO. 27.

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