title: Historical development of bipolar coagulation.
abstract: In 1926, a physicist at Harvard named William T. Bovie created an instrument, which revolutionized the medical profession--the unipolar electrocautery device. This incredible device could make surgical incisions and provide hemostasis as well. It came with a price, however, as it also created new risks and dangers in the operating room, such as electrical burns and fires. To resolve some of these problems, a bipolar electrocautery device was developed. The historical development and principles of both unipolar and bipolar electrocautery will be discussed in this article.
authors.affiliation: Midwestern University College of Health Services, Arizona Pediatric Medicine Program, Glendale, AZ, USA. slbarrettpod@me.com
authors.forename: Stephen L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.forename: Joseph M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vella
authors.forename: A Lee
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dellon
mesh_terms: D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery