Comparison of mechanical and in vivo performance of new and reprocessed harmonic scalpels

To compare the mechanical and clinical performance of new and reprocessed harmonic scalpels (HS). A total of 89 reprocessed and 90 new HS (laparoscopic coagulating shears with a curved blade and 5-mm-diameter shaft) were subjected to visual inspection, destructive testing, and nondestructive mechani...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.) N.J.), 2006-05, Vol.67 (5), p.898-903
Main Authors: Weld, Kyle J., Dryer, Stephen, Hruby, Greg, Ames, Caroline D., Venkatesh, Ramakrishna, Matthews, Brent D., Landman, Jaime
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Disposable Equipment - microbiology
Disposable Equipment - standards
Equipment Safety
Mechanics
Medical sciences
Nephrology. Urinary tract diseases
Sterilization - standards
Surgical Instruments - microbiology
Surgical Instruments - standards
Ultrasonic Therapy - instrumentation
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Summary:To compare the mechanical and clinical performance of new and reprocessed harmonic scalpels (HS). A total of 89 reprocessed and 90 new HS (laparoscopic coagulating shears with a curved blade and 5-mm-diameter shaft) were subjected to visual inspection, destructive testing, and nondestructive mechanical testing. Subsequently, new HS, randomly selected reprocessed HS, and selected reprocessed HS with known abnormalities were graded on clinical performance by 14 surgeons in a porcine model. Visual inspection of the HS discriminated between the new and reprocessed instruments in 11 of the 12 visual criteria ( P ≤0.02). In vitro mechanical testing revealed greater clamp arm dislodge forces for the new HS ( P
ISSN:0090-4295
1527-9995
DOI:10.1016/j.urology.2005.11.027