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Re: Hyfrecator
You wrote:
snip
> The Hyfrecator is no longer used, as it created massive amounts of
>TVI, BCI and RFI.( I didn't have to tell you guys that, did I?)
> 73, Ira W3ZLK
>
The older units often used in operating rooms and some outpatient
surgical settings had an extremely wide spectrum and were not current
limited. They are called unipolar, but in essence the patient, as a
whole, became the other pole. As an arc was struck and resistance
decreased, current could go to astronomical values. Sparks would jump
everywhere and it was quite scarey at times. Capacitive coupling and
sparks from other metal instruments to the patient and surgeons (I have
been shocked through latex gloves on numerous occasions) was an
incredible phenomenon. Needless to say this high current as well as
broad frequency spectrum could be difficult to control in a patients
body and severe burns of other nontarget tissues were not uncommon.
Modern generators electronically monitor and control current and
frequencies are precisely controlled and selected for for specific
operative tasks. For electrosurgical applications bipolar instruments
are the safest and most precise.
I have examined hyfrecators and they are interesting little devices,
BUT beware of the very broad frequency spectrum (I'm sure it extends
less than 2 kH) and potentially high currents.
RWW