Electrosurgery was invented in the beginning of the 20th century and became one of the most-often used surgical tools after William Bovie introduced his radiofrequency generator in 1926. Today, modern electrosurgical cutting tools use continuous radiofrequency waveforms, which thermally vaporize soft tissue through Joule heating and an electrical arc. This results in a cutting and coagulation action that leaves a wide zone of collateral thermal tissue damage.
Newer technologies minimize this thermal tissue damage. In addition, they replace the conventional scalpel blade thus helping the safety to both patient and clinicians.
