Medtronic | Aquamantys System | Which Medical Device

Description

From Which Medical Device

The Aquamantys system is a bipolar sealer which delivers radiofrequency energy and saline simultaneously to a surgical field in order to provide haemostasis or sealing across an exposed tissue or bone surface. The process heats tissues to around 100 degrees centigrade, much less than for standard electrocautery, shrinking the collagen in the walls of the tissue vessels and producing less smoke. This has been called Transcollation technology.

The device has been used in many applications including knee replacement, hip replacement, spinal surgery and the resection of solid organs. It is promoted as an effective way to facilitate knee replacement without tourniquet. Use of the device lead to less blood loss after knee replacement in a study by the developers (Marulanda et al, 2009). A recent randomised study did not show a benefit in hip replacement in fit patients (Barsoum et al, 2011).

A number of handpieces are available of varying size, and at least one of which is illuminated.

Notes

Salient Surgical Technologies, the original manufacturer of the device was acquired by Medtronic in 2011.

Medtronic received FDA 510(k) clearance in January 2012 to market its Aquamantys SBS 5.0 Sheathed Bipolar Sealer for sealing soft tissue and epidural veins during spinal surgery.