Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealers
The Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer is a sterile, single-use electrosurgical device used in combination with a pump generator to deliver radiofrequency (RF) energy and saline for the hemostatic sealing and coagulation of soft tissues and bones at the operative site to prevent surgery-related blood loss.
The Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer is manufactured by the medical device company Medtronic. Different models are available to meet the needs of individual surgeries such as endoscopic surgery or total hip arthroplasty.
The term hemostatic indicates that the Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer keeps blood within the damaged blood vessels and thereby prevents and stops bleeding. Since it uses a combination of radiofrequency and saline, it operates at 100?C which is nearly 200?C less than traditional electrosurgical devices.
About the Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer: Device Description
The Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer has a dual-electrode tip and a saline fluid-delivery line. It is connected to a hand-piece that comes with an on/off button to activate RF and saline flow simultaneously. The Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer has a three-pin plug that should be connected to a qualified pump generator that supplies RF energy.
Applications: When is the Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer used?
Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealers are used to control bleeding in various surgeries such as:
Orthopedic
- Arthroplasty: hip, knee, and shoulder
- Trauma procedures
Spine Surgery
- Lumbar interbody fusion: posterior, anterior and transforaminal
- Multilevel spinal fusion
- Discectomy
- Spine decompression
- Laminotomy
Cancer Surgery
Partial or complete removal of the liver, pancreas or kidney
Cardiac Surgery
Implant placement/replacement
Neurosurgery
Open craniotomy/surgery of the skull
Thoracic Surgery
Partial or complete removal of the lung, lymph nodes or esophagus (esophagectomy)
Important Instructions/Precautions for the Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer
The Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer Device should be used by a skilled surgeon who has undergone proper training and knows how to operate the sealer as it could lead to biohazards such as fire and injury to nearby nerves and surrounding tissues.
- Both electrodes should be in contact with the tissue to be treated.
- The RF energy and saline flow should occur simultaneously.
- The device should not be used if saline flow stops during the electrosurgical procedure. Attempts should be made to resume the flow.
- In case the saline bag becomes empty or the flow does not resume, the device should be discarded and replaced with a new device.
- The Aquamantys™ Bipolar Device should not be bent as this could lead to breakage.
It should not be used for any other purpose other than the purpose recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Contraindications for the Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer
The Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer should not be used for the following areas:
- The dura: the outermost, toughest layer of the brain
- Epidural veins: present in the outermost part of the spinal canal
- Nerve roots
- Skin and skin edges
How does the Aquamantys™ Disposable Bipolar Device Work?
The Aquamantys™ disposable Bipolar Device is connected to a qualified pump generator, usually an Aquamantys™ pump generator.
- The pump segment of the Aquamantys™ Bipolar Device is loaded into the pump head of the pump generator.
- The saline bag is connected to the saline loading section of the Aquamantys™ Bipolar Device.
- The rate at which RF power will be delivered and saline will flow is set by the surgeon.
- Using the hand-piece, the Aquamantys™ Bipolar Device is activated.
- The area to be operated on is exposed to the Aquamantys™ and is sealed via the coagulation of blood, soft tissue, and bone.
- After surgery, the Aquamantys™ Bipolar Device is switched off and disposed of.
What are the Benefits of Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealers?
Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealers offer numerous benefits. These include:
Intra-operative
- Improves visualization of the surgical site
- Reduces surgical time in pediatric spine surgery and total hip arthroplasty (THA)
- May reduce exposure to surgical smoke for surgeons and operating room staff
- Minimizes the use of hemostatic agents to control bleeding
Patient
- Significantly reduces total blood loss compared to traditional electrosurgery
- Reduces the length of hospital stay
- Reduces post-operative pain, swelling, infection, hemarthrosis (bleeding into a joint cavity), and other complications
- Reduces the need for blood transfusions compared to traditional electrosurgery
- Reduces the cost of surgery by minimizing the purchase of blood products and transfusion rates
Risks and Complications Associated with the Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer
As with any surgical procedure, there may be certain risks associated with the Aquamantys™ Bipolar Sealer which include risks of shock and burn hazards.
