Bovie

Bovie refers to the electrosurgical unit (ESU) commonly used in surgery, and to the inventor whose surname became a generic term for the device. William T. Bovie, an American physicist, developed the first practical electrosurgical generator in the 1920s. Working with surgeons, notably Harvey Cushing, Bovie’s device demonstrated the use of high-frequency electrical current to cut and coagulate tissue, offering an alternative to ligatures and chemical cautery.

How it works: an active electrode on a handheld applicator delivers radiofrequency energy to tissue, producing rapid heating through electrical resistance. Depending on configuration and settings, the surgeon can cut tissue or coagulate blood vessels. The electrical circuit is completed via a return electrode (ground pad) placed on the patient to minimize stray currents.

Variants and use: ESUs exist in monopolar and bipolar forms; modern units provide multiple waveforms, adjustable power controls, smoke evacuation, and safety features to limit unintended burns or interference with implants. The term “Bovie” has become a generic label for the device in many operating rooms, regardless of brand.

Impact and safety: electrosurgery is a standard tool across many surgical specialties, contributing to reduced blood loss and improved precision. Proper grounding, correct pad placement, and awareness of risks—such as burns, unintended tissue injury, and interference with implanted devices—are essential.

Bovie Medical Corporation is one of the manufacturers that produce electrosurgical devices, and the term remains widely used in clinical practice to refer to ESUs and related cautery equipment.