Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1998 Feb;5(1):29-32.
doi: 10.1016/s1074-3804(98)80007-8.

Aerosol exposure from an ultrasonically activated (Harmonic) device

D E Ott  1 , E Moss, K Martinez
Affiliations

Aerosol exposure from an ultrasonically activated (Harmonic) device

D E Ott et al. J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc. 1998 Feb.

Abstract

Study objective: To determine the distribution and concentration of aerosol particles caused by an ultrasonic (Harmonic) scalpel during simulated surgical use.

Design: Prospective experimental analysis (Canadian Task Force classification II-1).

Setting: Standard operating room.

Materials: Lean pork, lean beef, water, and blood, and the Harmonic scalpel with ball, curved scalpel, and cutting tips.

Interventions: Real-time sampling of airborne aerosols was performed over 6-second sampling periods.

Measurements and main results: Blood and tissue particles increased significantly during use of the Harmonic scalpel. Local exhaust evacuation methods diminished these concentrations.

Conclusions: The Harmonic scalpel causes formation of bioaerosols that are composed of material of respirable size. When this device is used, a local exhaust system or smoke-evacuation method should be activated to reduce exposure to blood, blood by-products, and potentially infectious materials.

PubMed Disclaimer