Diamonds Are Multifaceted

Posted Tuesday, September 11, 2007 to INDUSTRY > Medical Devices

Posted by The Original Anti-Aging & Cosmetic Surgery Magazine

Jodi Thiessen reports on a new scalpel developed to facilitate faster healing time & better results.

We've all seen movies where a thief cuts through glass with a diamond. It is true that the diamond is one of the hardest substances available and can be sharpened to glide through glass. This principle has been adapted to bring surgeons the latest advance in surgical tools.

A new diamond blade scalpel is much sharper than ordinary steel blade scalpels and patients are reaping the benefits.

The diamond scalpel is aptly named the SureBlade, and cosmetic surgeon Gregory Chernoff MD who helped develop it explained: "For the last two years I've done the clinical studies for the SureBlade, and the histological studies (under the microscope) show the knife can obtain very meticulous incisions."

The blade comes in a variety of shapes and sizes for any surgical procedure. A bifacet shape is popular for hair transplant surgery, where only tiny cuts are needed whereas the lance shape is more useful for larger procedures such as tummy tucks.

Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon Harrison Lee, MD explained: "The tip of the blade is a true diamond and is sharper than any steel blade. One shape available is a triangular tip and the advantage of this is it is bi-directional."

Florida Plastic and reconstructive surgeon John Penn, MD agreed: "The bifacet shape is good for small areas, the lancet better for larger."

The sharpness of the blade allows fine precision, which is necessary for any facial surgery in particular. Dr Penn explained: "The blade is extremely sharp so there is less pressure and it's more accurate."

Nevada plastic surgeon Charles Virden said: "I think it works wonderfully when you need to be really exact around eyelids or for facelifts and certain nipple reconstructions, also scar revision on the face."

The ability for precision is of tantamount importance to surgeons.As Dr Virden explained: "It's more of an exact cut on the face, a regular blade on the eyelid might drag a little bit, the diamond blade is more precise."

This precision and finer cuts also lead to the possibility of better healing of scars. While it is too new to be able to see long term results yet, short term results are excellent.

"Using the scalpel alone we've found histologically the diamond is about 100 times sharper than cold steel so it gives much finer cuts," said Dr Chernoff. "A paper cut hurts less than a dull knife and it heals quicker. A finer cut also creates a better scar, so the diamond on its own operates better than cold steel."

The sharpness of the SureBlade isn't its only advantage. It can also be used with a C02 laser allowing for simultaneous cutting and cauterizing (sealing) of the blood vessels. The lack of absorption in the diamond, combined with its high refractive index allows for the transmission of laser energy to and through the beveled cutting surface, providing simultaneous coagulation and cutting. Dr Penn explained: "The laser is a light beam and the optics of the blade direct the light so it trails the cut. As you are cutting, the laser is cauterizing."

This in turn minimizes blood loss, making the area clean for the surgeon to work with and resulting in less post-operative bruising. This is especially beneficial for fine work like blepharoplasty (eye surgery). The SureBlade allows the ability to incise the thin tissue around the eyes while simultaneously controlling all blood vessels. This allows for one-handed cutting and coagulating. The sealing off of the fine blood vessels, lymphatic channels and nerve endings results in less bruising, swelling, postoperative pain and a shorter recovery period.

Dr Chernoff explained: "Because there is less bruising and less swelling, with makeup someone can truly return to work after a few days rather than a week."

Using a cold steel scalpel the surgeon must stop and cauterize the blood vessels throughout the incision process enabling them to have maximum vision of the area. Dr Lee explained: "When you're cutting you're stopping the bleeding so you have an extremely dry surgical field."

While lasers alone, without the aid of a scalpel have been utilized in surgery for both cutting and cauterizing the advantage of using a scalpel and a laser combination is the precision that can be reached.

"When you are using a laser for cutting you can't touch the tissue," explained Dr Penn. "With the scalpel you can actually feel what you are doing so you have more control. It requires a different technique because of the attached laser but it's a matter of just getting a feel for it."

Once again diamonds are becoming a much sought after item but for very different reasons. With a quicker recovery period and the chance of better scars the new diamond scalpel is beneficial for both surgeons and patients alike.

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