Diathermy - Ellman surgitron vs cheaper models...

Re: Diathermy - Ellman surgitron vs cheaper models...

Rob Davis — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:57:37 GMT

[quote user="Andy Elliott"]Hi Rob, how do you like the Eickemeyer unit?[/quote]

Sorry - forgot to report back...

Love it! Does everything I want it to, has built in switch on machine to swap between mono- and bi-polar. Build quality is a bit inferior to the Ellman, but I would expect that given the price difference. Generally very happy with the purchase, use it most days and no problems encountered so far.

Re: Diathermy - Ellman surgitron vs cheaper models...

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 11:39:00 GMT

If it's any help the Vet Instrumentation one still going strong.....

Re: Diathermy - Ellman surgitron vs cheaper models...

Andy Elliott — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 10:34:59 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]

Thanks for the replies. I have decided to try Eickemeyer's 140vet radiosurgery unit - they have agreed to let me have it on a 14 day sale or return basis, so will report back once I've had a play with it.

[/quote]

Hi Rob, how do you like the Eickemeyer unit?

Re: Diathermy - Ellman surgitron vs cheaper models...

Rob Davis — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:54:14 GMT

Re: Diathermy - Ellman surgitron vs cheaper models...

Bob Russell — Tue, 07 May 2013 15:03:09 GMT

Slightly aside but I am looking for an accessory pack (including foot switch) for an Eschmann TD411RS I have inherited. Apparently working but I am reluctant to fork out the £400 I have been quoted for the standard pack.

I have lived without diathermy/electrosurgery so far but there have been a few occasions recently when it would have made life a lot easier!

Re: Diathermy - Ellman surgitron vs cheaper models...

Rob Davis — Fri, 03 May 2013 16:48:47 GMT

Many thanks for the replies so far. I agree that the Ellman is a brilliant machine and may well decide to go that way, but I would be really interested to hear from anybody who has used both the Ellman and one of the cheaper machines with thoughts on how they compare. The machine Michael purchased is areound 1/3 the price of the Ellman, and the electrodes are 1/4 the price, so I need to be able to justify the extra expense...

Re: Diathermy - Ellman surgitron vs cheaper models...

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 02 May 2013 19:23:16 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

I have an Ellman FFPF EMC Vet.Sug unit, I can't remember exactly how much it cost but it was nearer £1K than £3.5. It is radio surgery and the 'contact' plate is a radio transmitter so it doesn't even have to be in contact with the patient - no danger of iatrogenic burns from that. As a sole charge practice, it is difficult to justify the cost even at that price but it is nice to have. The previous one lasted over 25 years so reliability should be good but the wire electrodes are expensive about £35 each, with care they last a few times but they are fragile, if I break a new one on a procedure it is added as a consumable to the bill. On fine cutting it is brilliant for ops where you don't want distortion like entropians and on cut/coag nice for large skin wounds, messy things like anal farunculosis where a bit of collateral cautery doesn't go amiss, gingivectomies and warts. The cautery electrode is more robust and is very useful for little bleeders in ops like mastectomies. It is always a decision as to whether or not it is worth setting up just for a small procedure, I should use it more really. I have the bipolar forceps but very rarely use them.

[/quote]

I second all that, except that my electrodes seem to last quite well. Use the "insulated" straight one for very nearly everything. And it is always worth the minimal setting up.

My understanding is that the frequency it works at is very important for best results. The Ellman is one of the best things I ever bought.

But don't waste money on the ridiculous monopolar/bipolar switch. If you really want such a switch (for convenience, it's by no means vital) you can knock up your own for a tenner if you can use a soldering iron.

Re: Diathermy - Ellman surgitron vs cheaper models...

Gerry Henry — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:58:54 GMT

The Ellman Vet Surg is brilliant and lasts for ever; the consumables are way too expensive so I buy my replacements online on EBay.

Re: Diathermy - Ellman surgitron vs cheaper models...

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 02 May 2013 16:21:35 GMT

Rob,

I bought the "GIMA BiPolar Electrosurgery Unit 120 watt" from Veterinary Instrumentation. So far very happy with it. Can be used either mono or bipolar. Came with re-usable forceps that can be autoclaved.

I like the mono polar for things like mammary lumps (used completely instead of a scalpel). Things seem to heel really nicely. So much less ooze.

The bipolar is great for pesky bleeders - I have used it most on fat bitch spays where the subcut fat just oozes and there is no particular vessel to clamp.

To open the bipolar forceps takes 20 seconds. An assistant just needs to plug in the machine and drop the pedal onto the floor. If using the monopolar setting best to place patient onto contact plate first. Seems to work fine over hair.

It saves time, does a clean job that heels nicely. I'd buy one again.

Re: Diathermy - Ellman surgitron vs cheaper models...

Martin Atkinson — Thu, 02 May 2013 15:48:37 GMT