Surgical Electrodes

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Surgical electrodes are used for preparing electrocardiograms and other applications. There are two types of electrodes used in electrosurgery. Patient Return Electrodes (PRE) and active electrodes.

Patient Return Electrodes (PRE)

They are also called grounding pads. They collect the monopolar therapeutic current that has entered the patient and allow it to be safely removed and returned to the generator. Different types of patient return electrodes range from metal plates to dual section pads.

The reusable type is a metal plate placed under the patient and the disposable type is of cardboard covered with foil. Both types of plate are not as per the body contours and should be used with the conductive gel. There are Pre-gelled, disposable foam pads adapt well to body contours. Conductive adhesive pads are similar to gel pads but instead of gel they use a layer of adhesive over the pad surface

Active Electrode

It is an electrosurgical electrode that concentrates the electric therapeutic current at the surgical site. They deliver concentrated current to the target tissue. Active electrodes are available available for both bipolar and monopolar units. They are available in the form of needles, blades, balls, and loops for monopolar as well as bipolar units. Some are combined suction and coagulation type and can be both reusable or disposable type. This device enables the surgeon to cut and coagulate the tissues simultaneously.