In a unipolar RF circuit, what is the sequence that leads to tissue ablation?

In a unipolar RF circuit, the process of tissue ablation involves the flow of electrical current between one electrode and the targeted tissue. Specifically, one electrode, typically referred to as the active electrode, delivers radiofrequency energy directly to the tissue. This energy causes the tissue to heat up to a point where cellular destruction occurs, resulting in ablation.

This method is characterized by the fact that the return path for the current flows through the body and is not through another electrode placed near the site of ablation. Instead, the electrical circuit is completed by the body itself, utilizing the surrounding tissue as a return pathway. Therefore, the focused application of energy via the active electrode enables precise ablation of the tissue without needing a second electrode in close proximity.

Understanding the mechanism of current flow is fundamental to grasping how unipolar RF circuits effectively achieve targeted tissue destruction while minimizing damage to adjacent structures.