title: Radiofrequency energy-induced heating of bovine articular cartilage: evaluation of a new temperature-controlled, bipolar radiofrequency system used at different settings.
abstract: This in vitro investigation determined temperature changes associated with radiofrequency energy-induced heating of bovine articular cartilage using a newly developed, temperature-controlled, bipolar radiofrequency system at different settings. Cartilage tissue samples were placed in a saline bath maintained at room temperature. Radiofrequency energy was applied using a temperature-controlled, bipolar radiofrequency system at four different settings. Fluoroptic thermometry recorded temperatures at the radiofrequency electrode-tissue interface at 1-second intervals before, during delivery (1-5 seconds), and after delivery (1-3 seconds) of radiofrequency energy. Ten data acquisitions were obtained at each equipment setting. There were statistically significant (P<.05) increases in cartilage tissue temperatures associated with the different temperature settings. The temperature at the radiofrequency electrode-tissue interface was relatively close to the equipment's set temperature. These data provide basic information for the temperature-controlled, bipolar radiofrequency system applied to articular cartilage and may be useful in guiding electrosurgical equipment for thermal-assisted chondroplasty.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern California School of Medicine, Los Angeles, USA.
authors.forename: Frank G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Shellock
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000528:radiation effects; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002417:Cattle; D004566:Electrodes; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010329:Patella / Q000528:radiation effects; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D013223:Statistics as Topic / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors