We studied the effects of newly developed aneurysm clips made of a titanium alloy (manufactured by Aesculap, A.G.) on the quality of MR and CT images. Prior to clinical application in twenty patients, the effects of five types of conventional aneurysmal clips on MR images were examined utilizing a phantom. When compared with conventional aneurysm clips, the new titanium clips produce only limited artifacts and yielded improved images in patients who underwent aneurysm clipping post-operative.

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Irrigation bipolar systems are particularly useful for the washout of hematomas in subarachnoid hemorrhage during the acute stage of surgery and for preventing adherence of tissue to the bipolar tips during coagulation. These systems have become essential tools, and numerous improvements have been made to them. First, regarding the flow volume, both the interval of droplets and the size of individual water droplets can be adjusted. Second, this system is equipped with two major functions. The first is a preirrigation function, in which a small amount of irrigation water flows before operation of the bipolar coagulation. This wets the bipolar tips, eliminating any heat remaining from the previous use. Another function is postirrigation; after the coagulation has stopped, continuous irrigation is quickly provided to achieve a standby state by cooling down the tissue and the tips of the bipolar forceps. By using both of these functions, mild coagulation without adherence of burned tissue and clots to the bipolar forceps and minimization of residual heat during frequent use can be achieved. This article describes the new jet irrigation bipolar system and the use of an actual system that combines jet irrigation functions with the new cooling functions.

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