"Argon Plasma Coagulation - (APC) A thermal device that uses ionized argon gas (plasma) in conjunction with high-frequency electrical current to coagulate bleeding or desiccate tissue in order to destroy is, such as with tumor." (first link below)


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Note added at 8 hrs 6 mins (2003-09-05 03:56:53 GMT)
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Also possible - argon beam coagulator:

\"Argon beam coagulator: A device that employs a beam of ionized argon gas to coagulate vessels and is capable of cauterizing larger vessels. This device is becoming more widely available and is most often used in surgeries involving organs that bleed easily, such as live and spleen.\"

http://www.bloodlessprograms.com/glossary.htm

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Note added at 8 hrs 16 mins (2003-09-05 04:07:26 GMT)
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What is it exactly:

\"ARGON. Inert gas used by special units ( called “Argon coagulators”) for obtaining a coagulating effect on the patient tissue. The gas inside the tank is delivered at a low pressure towards the tissue while activating a function with high voltage, which brings the Argon’s spark , then starting the coagulating process. It\'s a further variant from the coagulating techniques.\"

http://www.alsamed.com/glossario_ing.html (Glossary of Electrosurgery)

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\"Argon-Plasma-Koagulation

Koagulationstechnik, bei welcher HF-Strom durch ionisiertes Argon Gas (Argonplasma) auf das zu koagulierende Gewebe geleitet wird.
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1. Du sollst die Argonplasmakoagulation nicht mit dem Argon-Laser verwechseln. Das ist etwas völlig anderes.\"

http://www.oegkv.at/bund/praxis/referate/march/litAPK.htm

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Why is it different from argon laser:

\"4. Thermal ablation

This is done using electrosurgery or laser coagulation. Multipolar electrocoagulation operates by passing a current between electrodes which are in contact with tissue. The effect of electrosurgery can be enhanced by transferring the electrical energy to the tissue surface through electrically conductive plasma of argon gas (argon beam plasma coagulation). Contact or noncontact laser photoablation in which energy is rapidly transferred from the laser beam to the cell has also been used.

Currently, multipolar eletrocoagulation, argon plasma coagulation, and laser photoablation are still considered experimental for the treatment of Barrett\'s esophagus with or without dysplasia. \"

http://pathology2.jhu.edu/beweb/Dysplasia.cfm

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\"Endoskopische Argon-Beamer-Behandlung

Der Argon-Beamer ist dem Laser vergleichbar, arbeitet jedoch nicht mit Licht sondern mit Argon-Gas. Dieses Gerät besitzt in der Endoskopie viele Vorteile gegenüber dem Laser, insbesondere ist es sicherer und mit weniger Komplikationen belastet.\"

http://www.kliniken-heh.de/Print/Print_Innere/Print_Innere_G...

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\"Argon Beamer Coagulator

The argon beamer is used in conjunction with monopolar electrosurgery to produce fulguration or superficial coagulation. Less smoke is produced because there is lesser depth of tissue damage. Despite these advantages, the argon beamer suffers from a very significant drawback in laparoscopic surgery, namely, increased intrabdominal pressure to potentially dangerous levels due to high-flow infusion of argon gas.

Ultrasonic dissection

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High- velocity water- jet dissection

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Radio Frequency Ablation and Floating Ball Coagulator

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Hydro dissection

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Laser dissection

The degree and extent of thermal damage produced by laser depend on the structure, water content, pigmentation, optical and thermal properties and perfusion of the tissue. The properties of a particular laser beam are also other determinants of heat damage. Therefore each of the various types of laser available has a specific clinical application.

In gynaecology the argon laser coagulator is the ideal method of treating small red endometriotic deposits. Tissue absorption of light is low and haemoglobin absorption high at its operating wavelengths of 488 and 514nm i.e. selective absorption [6].

The carbon dioxide laser is best suited...\"

http://www.laparoscopyhospital.com/dissection.htm


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Note added at 8 hrs 19 mins (2003-09-05 04:10:14 GMT)
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Should have set my confidence level at 5 ;) ... didn\'t expect I\'d come across all these sources.