Improvement of electrode materials for bipolar forceps in neurosurgery

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A bipolar forceps is used to check the bleeding by electrical coagulation in neurosurgery. It is important to prevent a sticking of tissues on the electrodes of the bipolar forceps. It has been found in our previous studies that the sticking is caused by the reaction between the electrode metals and carbon in tissues, and that Cu and Ag electrodes are able to prevent the sticking. However, the hardness of Cu, Ag metals and Cu-Ag alloys are too low to be fine shape electrodes. The hardness of Al_2O_3 dispersion Cu alloys and Au-Cu-Ag alloys have been measured. A 0.3%Al_2O_3 dipersion Cu alloy and a Au-20%Cu-5%Ag alloy consisting of CuAu order structures showed hardness Hv 170 and 300, respectively. The both alloy electrodes roasted the meats without the sticking.The bipolar forceps with their alloy lelectrodes are undergoing clinical testing for neurosurgery.