NOVEL BIPOLAR FORCEPS WITH PROTEIN REPELLENCE USING GOLD–POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE COMPOSITE FILM

OBJECTIVE Advancement in new technology has been necessary for the development of surgical hemostasis. The purpose of this study was to assess novel bipolar forceps plated with gold-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite film. METHODS Novel bipolar forceps with gold–PTFE composite film were invented and compared with commercially available forceps with 50-μm gold-plated tips in terms of their physical properties and coagulation performance. The contact angle was measured to determine the degree of wetting tension. Then the surface roughness, electric resistance, and changes in local temperature on the surface of the tip were recorded. Coagulation performance of the two sets of bipolar forceps was determined comparing the amount of protein in the adhered coagulum on the tips and comparing the ease with which the coagulum could be removed. RESULTS This gold–PTFE composite film-plated metal has a significantly higher contact angle than conventional gold-plated metal, and the plating maintains the matrix metal property. The amount of coagulum sticking was smaller than with the ordinary gold-plated forceps. The ease of removal was also superior with the gold–PTFE composite film-plated forceps. CONCLUSION The concept of promotion of protein repellence is important for achieving reduced adherence of protein to neurosurgical instruments. This protein repellent plating is indispensable to achieve safer and more accurate microneurosurgery.