Disposable Bipolar Forceps for Electrosurgery Reduce Tissue Adhesion and Allow Clear View of Coagulation

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 11 Oct 2022

During minimally invasive surgery, bipolar forceps are used, among other things, for hemostasis and tissue separation. When coagulating tissue, the high heat at the tips of the electrosurgical instruments can cause the instruments to stick to the tissue. Now, new bipolar forceps made of a special copper-base alloy takes non-stick technology to a whole new level by conducting heat away from the silver-plated tips faster, thereby potentially reducing tissue adhesion and charring.

ZEISS Medical Technology (Jena, Germany) has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for MTLawton, its new disposable bipolar forceps that are made from a special copper-base alloy and potentially reduce tissue adhesion and subsequent charring during dissection of tissue. The copper-based material also makes MTLawton robust and enables surgeons to handle tissue more efficiently. In neurosurgery, visualization and surgical instruments need to go hand-in-hand such that critical structures are not covered. Thanks to the extended shaft, the forceps also reduce visual restrictions in the surgical field and help surgeons to be efficient during electrosurgical procedures. With its elegant shape and extended working length, the MTLawton allows a clear view of the cauterization area – even in narrow and deep cavities. The development of the new bipolar forceps from ZEISS is based on close collaboration with Michael T. Lawton, one of the world's leading neurosurgeons.


Image: The surgical instrument reduces tissue adhesion and allows a clear view of the coagulation for efficient preparation (Photo courtesy of ZEISS)

"The MTLawton Disposable Bipolar Forceps are a real advance in electrosurgery over aluminum forceps. Our copper-base alloy has superior thermal conduction to improve cautery-based hemostasis and reduce tissue adhesion," emphasizes Michael T. Lawton, MD, President and CEO, Chair, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix/Arizona (USA). "I take these MTLawton bipolars into battle with all my difficult arteriovenous malformations, and they give me a noticeable advantage."

"With the acquisition of Kogent Surgical in April 2022, ZEISS has expanded its range of surgical solutions for microsurgery. We are pleased to be able to introduce the first surgical instrument from this acquisition to the market with FDA approval for MTLawton," added Dr. Markus Weber, CEO of Carl Zeiss Meditec.

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