Healthcare Professionals
PlasmaBlade
Soft Tissue Dissection Devices
Breast, ENT, Orthopaedic, Spinal, Neurological, and General Surgical Applications
Overview
The PlasmaBlade™ soft tissue dissection device uses brief, precise pulses of radiofrequency (RF) energy to cut and coagulate soft tissue. RF energy, combined with a proprietary insulation technology, enables the PlasmaBlade to dissect with the precision of a scalpel, and the bleeding control of traditional electrosurgery, while producing minimal thermal damage to surrounding tissue. Clinical research has demonstrated that low thermal injury technology offers intra-operative and post-operative benefits when compared to the current standard of care — scalpel and traditional electrosurgery.1,2,3
INDICATIONS
The PlasmaBlade is indicated for cutting and coagulation of soft tissue during General, Plastic and Reconstruction (including but not limited to skin incisions and development of skin flaps), ENT, Gynecologic, Orthopaedic, Arthroscopic, Spinal and Neurological procedures.
PRODUCT DETAILS
PlasmaBlade versus Traditional Electrosurgery
Thermal image profile
These histologic profiles4 compare thermal injury (red) with PlasmaBlade and traditional electrosurgery devices at similar cut settings.
PlasmaBlade™ device incision using the CUT 6 setting, showing low thermal injury.
Incision using a traditional electrosurgical tool using the CUT 35W setting, showing significant thermal injury.
Operating temperature profile5,*
Higher operating temperature is shown in infrared images.
Operating temperature profile of the PlasmaBlade device dissection device using infrared imaging.
Operating temperature profile of traditional electrosurgery using infrared imaging.
Observed Benefits
Lower temperature
- 64% average reduction in blade temperature for similar CUT settings compared to traditional electrosurgery1
- 45% average reduction in blade temperature for similar COAG settings compared to traditional electrosurgery1
Incision healing
- Equivalent cutaneous healing to scalpel5,*
- Significantly reduced thermal injury depth and scar width compared to traditional electrosurgery1
Increased efficiency
- Maintains cutting effectiveness and hemostatic ability even when submerged in liquefied tissue or blood, unlike traditional electrosurgical tools7
Reduced surgical smoke
- Less surgical smoke,8 allowing for increased visibility
Reduced risk
- Eliminates risk of inadvertent scalpel injury
Surgical Applications
Breast oncology
- Mastectomy
- Skin-sparing mastectomy
- Nipple-sparing mastectomy
- Oncoplasty
Cardiac implantable electronic devices
- Generator changeouts
- Generator replacements
- Generator upgrades
- Capsulectomy
Ear, nose, and throat (ENT)
- Tonsillectomy
- Adenoidectomy
- Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
Orthopaedics
- Total knee arthroplasty
- Total hip arthroplasty
Spine
- Anterior cervical discectomy infusion
- Multilevel spinal fusions
- Posterior cervical discectomy and fusion
- Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF)
- Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF)
- Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF)
- Minimally invasive TLIF
- Scoliosis surgery
- Laminotomy, discectomy, decompression
Model Features
AEX Generator
Powers all Aquamantys and PlasmaBlade devices and provides simultaneous activation of both technologies.
- Touchscreen interface
- Four memory settings
- Lightweight
- Rapid startup and priming
PlasmaBlade 3.0S
- Ergonomic handle design for comfort and control
- Adjustable telescoping shaft
- Locking mechanism to secure shaft at desired length
- Integrated smoke evacuation
PlasmaBlade 4.0
- Ergonomic handle design for comfort and control
- Bendable shaft
- Rotating finger grip
PlasmaBlade ENT family
- Four tip designs for tonsil, adenoid, and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) procedures
- Ergonomic handle design for comfort and control
- Bendable shaft
- Rotating finger grip
PlasmaBlade Needle
- Fine needlepoint tip
- Designed for ultra-precise surgical procedures and working of very delicate skin
Manuals and Technical Guides
Find these technical manuals in the Medtronic Manual Library, in the product labeling supplied with each device, or by filling in the form on the right.
- AEX Generator Operator's Manual
- AEX Generator Preventative Maintenance Guide
- PlasmaBlade 4.0 Instructions for Use
- PlasmaBlade 3.0S Instructions for Use
- PlasmaBlade UPPP and Suction Coagulator Instructions for Use
- PlasmaBlade TnA Instructions for Use
- PlasmaBlade Needle Instructions for Use
Rx only. Refer to product instruction manual/package insert for instructions, warnings, precautions and contraindications.
*
Operating temperature is a function of device settings, electrode configuration and treatment time. Operating temperatures outside this range may be observed.
1
Ruidiaz ME, Messmer D, Atmodjo DY, et al. Comparative healing of human cutaneous surgical incisions created by the PEAK PlasmaBlade, conventional electrosurgery, and a standard scalpel. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2011;128(1):104-111.
2
Fine RE, Vose JG. Traditional electrosurgery and a low-thermal-injury dissection device yield different outcomes following bilateral skin-sparing mastectomy: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports. 2011, 5:212.
3
Loh SA, Carlson GA, Chang EI, Huang E, Palanker D, Gurtner GC. Comparative healing of surgical incisions created by the PEAK PlasmaBlade, conventional electrosurgery, and a scalpel. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2009;124(6):1849-1859.
4
Data on file: Histology Images for PEAK PlasmaBlade 71-10-2559.
5
Data on file. PEAK PlasmaBlade operating temperature study summary. 71-10-2475.
6
Cao J, Steiner P, Vose JG. Electrical interference in ICD ventricular sense channel: Medtronic PEAK PlasmaBlade compared to traditional electrosurgery. APHRS November 2015.
7
Palanker DV, Vankov A, Huie P. Electrosurgery with cellular precision. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2008;55(2 Pt 2):838-841.
8
Data on file: Evaluation of Surgical Smoke Contamination Using Electrosurgical Devices. 81-10-5683.