Evaluation of Efficacy and Accuracy of a Cordless Ultrasonic Dissection System

The Sonicision device offers the ability to achieve hemostasis and vessel dissection with a cordless system. The ultrasonic device yields coagulation and transection of vessels by conversion of electrical energy into ultrasonic vibration through a piezoelectric or magnetic transducer, which is the causation of heat induction at the jaws of the instrument through friction. The Sonicision device is able to seal vessels up to 5 mm and transection division of 10 cm segments. The Sonicision device features the following:

1. Cordless design to improve freedom and movement;
2. Simplified set up that may possibly increase operating room efficiency;
3. Dual-mode energy control to increase procedure focus;
4. Improved mobility secondary to cordless system.

Currently all devices are connected to a generator by a cable, which can lead to the cable wrapping around the device, tangle with other instruments and become inadvertently contaminated. There are several advantages with regards to utilization of a cordless device to include: improved intra-operative storage, avoidance of bundling multiple cords from various instruments that may limit instrument mobility and portability which may lead to the ability to operate with advanced surgical equipment in third world settings, trauma and surgery centers.

The study group will consist of 150 patients, male and female adults, who present with the need for general surgery in which an ultrasonic dissection device and/or a vessel sealing device will be utilized. Patients will be identified prospectively via consultation with the general surgeon. Data will be collected addressing the following variables: versatility, dissection time, vessel diameter, reliability, efficiency, tissue response, steam production, blood loss, tissue response, thermal spread, desiccation and sealing time. A tentative total of ten individual tissue specimens will be obtained by the surgeon during surgery and after the utilization of the Sonicision Cordless Ultrasonic Dissection System. The patient's histologic sample will be followed after surgery in order to determine efficacy of the vessel seal. Subsequently, the patient's information will be deidentified and the patient assigned a study number to which all further analysis will be tied. Patient participation will include time of surgery through discharge from the hospital. Study data will be collected and managed utilizing an electronic database.