Seven Uses of a High Frequency Desiccator Device
Republish Date: May 12, 2025
Original Publish Date: May 2, 2016
More than eighty years ago, Dr. William Bovie invented a device that generated electrical current for use in surgery. Since then, Bovie, the company has used the science behind his electrosurgical findings to develop a robust line of energy-based devices to support the physician office, surgery centers and highly demanding operating rooms. Electrosurgery devices are often misconstrued as a device only for complex surgical procedures; but the modern medical practice can now use low-watt electrosurgery devices for a variety of in-office procedures.
Among the modern electrosurgical tools available, the high frequency desiccator provides many applications for dermatologists and family physicians, most prominently for superficial skin procedures.
Desiccation works delivering electrical energy to tissue using a waveform that dehydrates the tissue causing a coagulation effect. This enables physicians to treat various malignant, pre-malignant or benign lesions in-office quickly and effectively.
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Seven Uses of a High Frequency Desiccator Device
Removal of skin tags that are a nuisance to the patient
Angiomas – Cherry Angiomas, Spider Angiomas
Telangecstasia or spider veins
Seborrheic keratoses – a non-cancerous growth with a thick surface
Warts
Pre-Malignant Lesions
Moles or Nevi
Aspen Surgical manufactures 4 high frequency desiccators to aid in the performance of simple skin procedures such as those listed above.
The Bovie Derm 102 is an economically priced unit which provides 10-watt high frequency desiccators and is designed to enable in-office procedures for minor skin problems. This particular unit is a wonderful addition to any family practice doctor facility.
The Bovie Derm 942 high frequency desiccator is a 40-watt high frequency desiccator and is the gold standard for the dermatologist office. Every dermatologist office will have at minimum a 40-watt high frequency desiccator.
The Bovie Bantam | PRO™ 50W is a true hybrid and is the first and only High Frequency Desiccator with Cut. One side is similar to the Aaron 940 desiccator and offers 30 watts of desiccation, while the other side is a true electrosurgical generator which provides cutting capability. This allows the user to perform more in-depth procedures such at MOHS.