What are electrosurgical instruments and what are they used for?
Electrosurgical instruments are medical devices that use high-frequency electrical energy to perform surgical procedures. These instruments are commonly used in a variety of surgical specialties, including
- Reconstructive surgery
- Gynaecology
- Neurosurgery
- Cardiovascular
- Urology, and
- General surgery
These instruments can be used to cut, coagulate, or remove tissue with precision and fine control, allowing for minimally invasive procedures with precise rapid incisions, less bleeding or infections, and faster recovery times.
As a global contract manufacturer, AMETEK EMC collaborates with customers in research, innovative engineering, and manufacturing of electrosurgical equipment and accessories specified by medical device OEMs. This electrosurgical equipment includes generators, handpieces, electrodes, and accessories that need to be compatible with a variety of surgical procedures to provide optimal performance and adaptability
Insights into the electrosurgical device market
The global electrosurgical devices market size was valued at approximately USD 5.4 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow to USD 8 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2022 to 2027.
The growth in the market can be attributed to factors such as growing number of chronic diseases and surgical procedures, increasing patient preference for minimally invasive procedures, increased healthcare expenditure, and widespread patient awareness about the new and technologically advanced options.
Laser probe with laser cut shaft and cables used for birthmark removal.
Specialist solutions for electrosurgical instruments
As a leading partner in the medical device market, AMETEK Engineered Medical Components (EMC) supplies customers in the electrosurgical instrument sector with critical, customized interconnect and cable solutions as well as precision laser-processed assemblies. This includes ENT (ear, nose, throat) and reconstructive surgery products such as:
- Laser-welded tissue sealers
- Signal cables for patient interface measurement
- RF power cables
- Laser cut shafts
- Laser-ablated wires and plastic tubing
As a global contract manufacturer that collaborates with medical OEMs in the research and production of electrosurgical devices, AMETEK EMC has a strong focus on quality, safety, and innovation. With its electrosurgical capabilities, AMETEK EMC is well-positioned to support future growth in this sector.
Cable assembly for electrosurgical instruments with silicone molding and custom connectors.
Laser-processed assemblies by AMETEK EMC are critical components for electrosurgical equipment:
Critical electrosurgical instruments such shears, jaw sealers and tissue sealers require laser-cut or laser-welded assemblies and need to be safe to be used inside the human body. Selecting the right material and manufacturing process, such as laser cutting, will contribute to the overall biocompatibility and safety of the instrument.
Flexible tubes for electrosurgical instruments facilitate improved manoeuvrability and access to hard-to-reach areas during surgical procedures. These tubes need to be strong enough to remove tough, fibrous tissue while minimizing the risk of damaging the patient internally. These flexible tubes are metal tubes, laser-cut in specific patterns that create bendability and flexibility in the tube shaft while maintaining strength.
Example:
At AMETEK EMC’S laser processing facilities, Nitinol tubes are manufactured for handpieces in ophthalmologic procedures. In capsulotomy (surgery to replace the lens of the eye), handpieces use a small nickel-titanium (Nitinol) tube to deliver energy to the eye, often in the form of heat, that creates an opening in the surface for lens extraction and replacement. Since the flexibility of the tube allows for collapse and shape recovery during the procedure, the incision for the instrument can be very small.
AMETEK EMC’s innovative engineering experience is essential to produce these delicate components. The use of a nickel-titanium alloy allows for flexibility, shape memory, and control during the procedure.
Ophthalmology surgery for eyes
Material selection
Cables and welded assemblies are typically made from biomaterials such as platinum and 316L stainless steel, titanium, Nitinol due to their radio-opaque and non-reactive properties for additional strength and flexibility in arduous operational conditions.
Customized interconnect and cables
AMETEK EMC are also experts at manufacturing interconnects that link the handpiece to the electrosurgical generators. In collaboration with customers, the manufacture of complete box builds for energy generators is also supported in line with clients’ requirements.
Part of the product and service portfolio is also the manufacture of cable assemblies for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) as well as reconstructive surgery procedures.
Cable assembly for ENT device
Other flexible cables, used in vascular tools need to be flexible and bendable to connect the imaging capitol to the light source and control system. The cables need to be produced with high-quality silicon moulding (please link to new page) to ensure strength and durability to withstand the stresses during surgical procedures.
The manufacture of signal cables for patient interface measurement is another offered service. These cables connect sensors, electrodes, or other monitoring equipment to patient monitoring systems. They play an important role in avoiding disconnections during surgeries, providing data on heart rate, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure, and collecting physiological parameters.