Evaluation of Thermal Tissue Damage Using an Electrosurgical Instrument with Wear-Resistant Coatings

Cr-nanodiamond, WC, and Ni-P and Ni-W-P alloys were studied as functional coatings for electrosurgical instruments. Model experiments showed that the use of Ni-P (15.6 at.% P) and Ni-W-P (1.4 at.% W; 12.6 at.% P) coatings resulted in a decrease in the depth of thermal damage compared to an uncoated instrument. It was suggested that the functional properties of the coatings depend on a combination of many factors, including microhardness, roughness, and electrical conductivity; however, the contribution of any given factor requires more detailed study.