In thermolysis, moving a .003 probe to a .006 probe with the same timing and intensity, what happens to the pattern of the heat production?

In thermolysis, moving a .003 probe to a .006 probe with the same timing and intensity, what happens to the pattern of the heat production?

• A. It gets larger
• B. It remains the same
• C. It becomes erratic
• D. It gets smaller

Answer: (D)

In thermolysis, heat produced is determined by the tissue impedance along the current path, with the amount of heat proportional to I^2 R t. If you keep timing and current the same, changing the probe size changes the impedance. A larger diameter probe increases the contact area with tissue, which lowers resistance along the current path. With lower resistance, the same current and duration generate less heat in the tissue, so the heating effect around the follicle is reduced. That makes the heat pattern smaller and less intense, rather than larger or erratic. If you needed the same heat with a larger probe, you’d have to increase the current or duration.

In thermolysis, heat produced is determined by the tissue impedance along the current path, with the amount of heat proportional to I^2 R t. If you keep timing and current the same, changing the probe size changes the impedance. A larger diameter probe increases the contact area with tissue, which lowers resistance along the current path. With lower resistance, the same current and duration generate less heat in the tissue, so the heating effect around the follicle is reduced. That makes the heat pattern smaller and less intense, rather than larger or erratic. If you needed the same heat with a larger probe, you’d have to increase the current or duration.