Antiadhesion Function between a Biological Surface and a Metallic Device Interface at High Temperature by Wettability Control

During operations, medical doctors use various medical equipment that is mainly manufactured from metallic materials. Bipolar forceps are used for electrosurgery, especially neurosurgery. Bipolar forceps are utilized for cutting, inosculation, and quick hemostasis with electricity. Because bipolar tips reach a high temperature, the tissue that makes contact with the tips and nearby tissue is damaged. In addition, operations are delayed because of the need to wash or change equipment because of tissue adhering to the bipolar tips. Herein, we designed bipolar forceps with antiadhesion properties by coating them with a superhydrophobic material. We compared the effect of the coating by using bipolar forceps in different tissue samples and target areas, which reached different surface temperatures. Furthermore, the effect of the surface wettability was investigated. The temperature measurements and adhesion force measurements indicated that coating of the sample significantly limited the temperature increase and reduced the adhesion force. We demonstrated that the antiadhesion properties depended on the change in the surface tension of the hydrophobic material coating. These coatings are promising for decreasing tissue adhesion on metallic devices and decreasing collateral heat damage to the tissue.