Farah
Virtuosa
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION- Intent: To expand on the SW canon plasma scalpel, which is another name for a phase knife apparently.
- Image Source: Surgery: precise incisions with microwave plasma
- Canon Link: Phase knife, plasma scalpel
- Restricted Missions: N/A
- Primary Source: N/A
- Manufacturer: Cornerstone Scientific
- Model: N/A
- Affiliation: Closed Market
- Modularity: None
- Production: Limited
- Material: Durasteel, plasma
- Classification: Knife
- Size: Small
- Weight: Very Light
- Plasma blade that can change in shape, length and width
Min length: 1.5cm [~.06"] - Min width 0.1mm [100μm]
- Max length: 7.5cm [~3”]
- Max width: 2.5cm [~1”]
[*]Can dial between intensities
[*]Grooved durasteel handle for advanced stabilization
Strengths:
- The plasma scalpel’s blade is adjustable and able to change shape, length and width for precision cutting down to micrometers.
- The plasma blade can easily slice through most types of skin and tough hide as well as the chitin shells common to many insectoid species.
- Because a plasma blade is weightless, surgeons must undergo specific training with a plasma scalpel as it handles differently than a traditional durasteel scalpel.
- Has a battery life of ~20 hours before the battery must be replaced or recharged.
- Potential to overheat and shut down.
The plasma scalpel is a surgical blade designed to replace the traditional durasteel scalpel. While metallic blades have their place, the plasma scalpel’s design allows it to cauterize as it cuts which helps to coagulate blood vessels and divide tissues. Surgery with a plasma scalpel is by definition less bloody and more precise given that the blade can be adjusted along varying levels of intensity and size, allowing only necessary cutting to be done. The blade of the plasma scalpel can easily slice through human skin as well as hides of tougher and more naturally armored races (Geonosian, Givin, etc.)
As a weightless blade, the plasma scalpel is not for everyone. Though it offers many benefits in the realm of surgery, there are quite a few who are skeptical of its uses and swear by good old fashioned durasteel blades. Indeed, the plasma scalpel can be difficult to wield without hours of practice, leading a surgeon to inadvertently destroy tissue or a vessel with one wrong move. Depending on the nature of the cut, mistakes made with a plasma blade can be more difficult to repair than that of a durasteel blade.
The battery life of a plasma scalpel is around 20 hours while used on medium intensity. The battery life may be shortened or extended depending on what levels of intensity are used. This could prove to be an issue during particularly lengthy surgeries. In addition, overuse of the plasma scalpel may cause it to overheat and shut down.
The plasma scalpel can also be used, if necessary, as an impromptu weapon. In this regard, it is something of a mix between a traditional vibroblade and a lightsaber. Like a vibroblade, it has a standard knife shape when at it's maximum dimensions, though the blade is not solid as it is made of plasma nor does it have vibration capabilities. Though made of the same material as a lightsaber's blade, a plasma scalpel is comparatively weaker in intensity and will have a more difficult time cutting through anything but the lightest of armors at it's highest intensity unless cuts are repeated. Any race with a chitin exoskeleton may provide some resistance against the plasma scalpel, but the level of defense would depend on the relative strength of the exoskeleton in question. The plasma scalpel will short out if it strikes cortosis or leather.
