Novel active electrode monitoring (AEM) technology prevents dangerous stray electrosurgical burns during minimally invasive surgery (MIS).

The AEM Endoshield burn protection system is a disposable add-on device that is compatible with widely used electrosurgical generators. An intuitive interface and plug-and-play design require only one additional connection. The system creates a protective shield that eliminates the risk of capacitive coupling to the patient; if an insulation failure occurs, the AEM system actively drains electrosurgical energy away from the patient through this protective shield. In addition, the AEM burn protection system immediately shuts down the instrument power.

AEM works by surrounding the active electrode with a primary insulation layer that can withstand the high voltages of electrosurgery. The protective shield itself is a conductive tube that surrounds both the primary insulation layer and the active electrode which conducts stray energy back to the generator, ensuring there is no chance of an energy burn to the patient. An outer insulation provides an additional layer of protection for all AEM instruments. The AEM Endoshield burn protection system is a product of Encision (Boulder, CO, USA), and has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“EndoShield integrates our patented AEM technology into a disposable smart cord and eliminates the need for a separate AEM monitor,” said Greg Trudel, president and CEO of Encision. “Feedback from the marketplace has been very positive. Our customers appreciate the advancement of the technology, the increase in ease of use, and the freedom from the constraint of capital expense.”

Monopolar laparoscopic instruments have an inherent problem with their design; they are prone to insulation failure and capacitive coupling, causing patient burns. These stray energy burns usually occur in the surgeon’s blind spot, typically go undiagnosed and further manifesting into severe complications. Stray energy burns led to more than 16,500 patient complications and 4,000 preventable patient deaths over a 10 year period in the USA alone.

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