Electrosurgical output measurement: a review of methods and a new approach

Since the introduction of the Electrosurgical Unit (ESU) as an effective tool in the OR and clinic, there has been a need to measure accurately the output of these devices in order to verify their safety, calibration, and performance. This article presents review of ESU measurement techniques, along with an analysis of their advantages and shortcomings. An alternative method is advanced that improves accuracy and resolution, provides extremely flexible selection of load resistance values and current measurement paths, and directly measures Crest Factor, a significant electrosurgical parameter.