A proposed method for quantitative performance evaluation of electrosurgical dispersive electrodes

The measurement of thermal performance of electrosurgical dispersive electrodes presents special problems since it is necessary to determine the spatial distribution of transient temperature fields in the presence of high-energy, high-frequency, electric fields. Contact sensors are contraindicated. high-speed video-scanning thermographic systems solve the problem and, additionally, provide a permanent record of the temperature-time history of experiments on videotape. The overall uncertainty in temperature rise determination using this method is on the order of 0.4 degrees C. This measurement approach, which has been used in experiments on human subjects, yields repeatable, quantitative determinations of the thermal performance of dispersive electrodes.