Principle Of Operation - ArthroCare Quantum RF 12000 User Manual

®
Quantum™ (RF 12000) System and 9
ArthroCare
User‟s Manual
® Quantum™ 2 (RF 12000) System
ArthroCare

Principle of Operation

The ArthroCare Quantum (RF 12000) Controller and ArthroCare Quantum 2 System (RF 12000) are
designed to deliver RF energy to the electrode elements located at the distal end of the sterile single-
use Wands. Current flows between the active electrode elements and the return electrode element,
both elements or poles located on the Wand itself in a bipolar configuration, providing a localized energy
field. The result of this arrangement is controlled energy delivery with minimal collateral tissue damage.
The ArthroCare Quantum (RF 12000) System and ArthroCare Quantum 2 System (RF 12000) work by
passing RF energy through a conductive solution (such as normal saline or Ringer‟s lactate) in close
proximity to or in contact with the tissue to be treated. The conductive solution forms a thin layer
between the active and return electrode elements. In the ablation mode, when sufficient energy is
applied, the conductive solution is converted into a vapor layer (plasma) containing energized charged
particles. When the high-energy charged particles come in contact with tissue, they cause its
disintegration through molecular dissociation.
This mode of operation results in relatively low treatment site temperatures when compared to
conventional electrosurgical and monopolar RF systems, thus yielding limited collateral thermal damage
to the surrounding untreated tissue.
The system can also function when a lower voltage is applied between the active and return electrodes.
In this case, the electrical field is below the threshold required to create a plasma layer and resistive
tissue heating occurs. This mode is useful when a greater thermal effect is needed, i.e. for coagulation
of blood vessel. The appropriate voltage setting will depend on the design of the Wand used, tissue
type, and desired tissue effect.