1. VUSE Medical and Electromechanical Design Lab
Dylan Vest
Jason Evert
Rizwan Rozlan
Shahrul Ramli
Joseph Warhust

2. Principles of Electrosurgery
Electrosurgical generator: source of electron flow and voltage
Circuit is composed of the generator, active electrode, patient, and patient return electrode
Pathways to ground: OR table, stirrups, staff members, and equipment.
Patient’s tissue provides the impedance, producing heat as the electrons overcome the impedance

3. Surgical Devices
Electrosurgical Pencil
Suction Coagulator

4. Current Bovies' Description
Electrosurgical Pencil
(Flat Bovie)
Cuts tissue with electric sparks that focus intense heat at surgical site
Hand- or foot-switching controls
Suction Coagulator
Transforms fluid into clots and sucks clots from surgical site
Coag activation by hand- or foot-switching
Suction is controlled using vent on handle
Bendable shaft allows for precise application

5. Problems with Current Bovies
Requires 2 different people to cut tissues and coagulate/suck fluid
Less efficient
Unnecessary addition of people working on a surgery
Current Bovie that combines flat with suction works have different focus lengths for cutting and suction
Inconvenience for doctors

6. Stakeholders Dr Athavale Sanjay (Client) Dr Joel Barnett Design Team
Surgical Personnels: Surgeons, nurses, technicians
Patients

7. What Should I Do? Combine the precision of a flat Bovie with suction.
Maintain a constant length to maintain surgical accuracy.
Be relatively simple and quick to use.

8. How Will We Do It? Research previous designs and patents.
Gather input from stakeholders.
Brainstorm and create many designs and select the one that works best.