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Title: Histopomorphic Evaluation of Radiofrequency Mediated Débridement Chondroplasty

Journal Article · · The Open Orthopaedics Journal
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [2];  [4]
  1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States). B-Division
  2. NuOrtho Surgical, Inc., Fall River, MA (United States)
  3. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States). Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT)
  4. NuOrtho Surgical, Inc., Fall River, MA (United States); Center for Orthopaedic and Sports Performance Research, Inc., Santa Fe, NM (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

The use of radiofrequency devices has become widespread for surgical ablation procedures. When ablation devices have been deployed in treatment settings requiring tissue preservation like débridement chondroplasty, adoption has been limited due to the collateral damage caused by these devices in healthy tissue surrounding the treatment site.Ex vivoradiofrequency mediated débridement chondroplasty was performed on osteochondral specimens demonstrating surface fibrillation obtained from patients undergoing knee total joint replacement. Three radiofrequency systems designed to perform débridement chondroplasty were tested each demonstrating different energy delivery methods: monopolar ablation, bipolar ablation, and non-ablation energy. Treatment outcomes were compared with control specimens as to clinical endpoint and histopomorphic characteristics. Fibrillated cartilage was removed in all specimens; however, the residual tissue remaining at the treatment site displayed significantly different characteristics attributable to radiofrequency energy delivery method. Systems that delivered ablation-based energies caused tissue necrosis and collateral damage at the treatment site including corruption of cartilage Superficial and Transitional Zones; whereas, the non-ablation system created a smooth articular surface with Superficial Zone maintenance and without chondrocyte death or tissue necrosis. The mechanism of radiofrequency energy deposition upon tissues is particularly important in treatment settings requiring tissue preservation. Ablation-based device systems can cause a worsened state of articular cartilage from that of pre-treatment. Non-ablation energy can be successful in modifying/preconditioning tissue during débridement chondroplasty without causing collateral damage. Utilizing a non-ablation radiofrequency system provides the ability to perform successful débridement chondroplasty without causing additional articular cartilage tissue damage and may allow for other cartilage intervention success.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER). Biological Systems Science Division
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396
OSTI ID:
1629082
Journal Information:
The Open Orthopaedics Journal, Vol. 4, Issue 1; ISSN 1874-3250
Publisher:
Bentham Science PublishersCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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  • Brace, Christopher L.; Laeseke, Paul F.; Prasad, Vijay
  • Conference Proceedings. Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2006 International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society https://doi.org/10.1109/iembs.2006.260086
conference August 2006
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Cited By (2)

Does radiofrequency ablation (RFA) epiphysiodesis affect adjacent joint cartilage? journal August 2016
Targeted In Situ Biosynthetic Transcriptional Activation in Native Surface-Level Human Articular Chondrocytes during Lesion Stabilization journal March 2012

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Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
Chondroplasty
necrosis
radiofrequency
tissue preservation