How is Waterjet Cutting Technology Used in the Medical Scene?

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The first acknowledged use of waterjet cutting technology in the medical sphere was when it was utilized for cutting bodies and as an indispensable tool for endoprothesis dental surgery. One of the advantages of the water jet method of cutting over other traditional cutting methods is that it does not involve the use of or generate heat, pressure, or sound. Hence, one good reason why it is ideal for dental and medical surgery.

surgery tools scalpel

Another good thing about it is that it lessens the need for anesthesia, promoting healthier dental tissues when applied for dental procedures. The tendency of the waterjet method when utilized for a dental procedure is to leave a relatively dry work area. This works to the advantage of a dental specialist who needs to carry out a subsequent hole filling because it mitigates micro-cleavage risks and jagged teeth.

The water jet technology can be used practically in traumatic wound cleaning. Skin wounds of this type and their healing process are codified using the abbreviation, “TINE”. This stands for tissue necrosis, which indicates dead skin tissue.

Damaged and dead tissues, including the inadequate supply of blood, need to get removed. As for the bacterial burden, it should not go greater than 100,000 bacteria/g. The use of waterjet and making it work as a scalpel will pave the way for healthier tissue as opposed to the use of traditional methods. Known as the versajet technology, this is also highly recommended when you need to clean wounds and clear them from foreign elements including silicone gel brought about by implants, sand, and earth. They could otherwise get integrated into the skin’s healing process, thereby creating a tendency to create and leave a traumatic tattoo.

Waterjet cutting technology has also found practical application in skin graft degreasing. Liposuction is another field where this technology is likely to receive a practical application. Water jet liposuction (WJL) is a qualified non-edema method, maximizing the old method’s benefits.

WAL or water jet assisted liposuction makes use of a thin fan-shaped stream of water. By this measure, the process is made able to release fat cells while saving the nerves and blood vessels. Fat cells will then be removed from where they got accumulated, only to get drifted out by saline. There is a handful of benefits to enjoy from WAL, and they are as follows –

  • It offers greater accuracy of results, sans contour changes, and edema. 
  • Improved patient mobility of patients
  • Optimal access to the treated area
  • Improved patient comfort
  • Postoperative wound infiltration is made possible in less than 24 hours. 
  • Amount of patient medications is reduced

Moreover, the hydro abrasive jet is also considered as a very indispensable dermatology tool used in the removal of dead skin cells. Water flow will be dosed with several kinds of drugs, included here would be anesthetics, to help in the removal or alleviation of pain; antiseptics, for disinfection purposes due to the violation of the skin integrity.

Another water flow application in medicine is the microwave waterjet cutting scalpel. This technology is normally used for the resectioning of tumors. When you combine a jet system and the microwave scalpel technologies, the result of the melding is this kind of technology that allows flow control directly into the saline, then directing it towards the workspace.

Microwave waterjet scalpel lowers the odds of perceived microwave radiation risks to occur. Its direct usage in medical surgery brought out many benefits and advantages that are not to be seen with other traditional methods. It utilized sensitive sterile saline pressure to be able to resect tissue. The applicator is made up of a nozzle jet with a 120-micrometer diameter.