Principle Of Operation - smith&nephew ArthroCare Atlas Manuel De L'opérateur

9
ArthroCare Atlas™ System
®
User's Manual

Principle of Operation

The ArthroCare Atlas Controller is designed to deliver RF energy to the electrode elements located at the distal end
of the sterile single-use Wands. Current flows between the active electrodes elements and the return electrode ele-
ment, both elements or poles located on the Wand itself in a bipolar configuration, providing a localized energy field.
The result of this arrangement is controlled energy delivery with minimal collateral tissue damage.
The ArthroCare Atlas System works by passing RF energy through a conductive solution (such as normal saline or
Ringer's lactate) in close proximity to or in contact with the tissue to be treated. The conductive solution forms a thin
layer between the active and return electrode elements. In the ablation mode, when sufficient energy is applied, the
conductive solution is converted into a vapor layer (plasma) containing energized charged particles. When the high-
energy charged particles come in contact with tissue, they cause its disintegration through molecular dissociation.
This mode of operation results in relatively low treatment site temperatures when compared to conventional electro-
surgical and monopolar RF systems, thus yielding limited collateral thermal damage to the surrounding untreated tis-
sue.
The system can also function when a lower voltage is applied between the active and return electrode(s). In this
case, the electrical field is below the threshold required to create a plasma layer and resistive tissue heating occurs.
This mode is useful when a greater thermal effect is needed, i.e. for coagulation of blood vessel. The appropriate
voltage setting will depend on the design of Wand used, tissue type, and desired tissue effect.