ESU Testing and Analyzer Methods
ESU 105 dives deep into the methodologies and tools required for comprehensive electrosurgical unit testing. Students will gain proficiency in operating electrosurgical analyzers to measure and validate RF power output curves across various modes (cut, coag, blend), assess critical leakage currents (patient and enclosure), and verify alarm functions and safety interlocks. The course also covers detailed accessory inspection and testing, including footswitches, handpieces, and return electrodes. Emphasizing industry best practices and regulatory compliance, students will learn to interpret test results, troubleshoot common issues, and document findings accurately, preparing them for real-world service scenarios in the operating room environment.
InstructorJacob CalhounPrerequisites
Course outline
Lectures, virtual labs, and graded assignments — completed in your browser.
Syllabus
["Week 1: Introduction to ESU Testing and Safety Standards","Week 2: Principles of Electrosurgical Analyzers and Their Functions","Week 3: Setting Up the Analyzer: Connections, Cables, and Configurations","Week 4: LAB: Basic Analyzer Setup and Verification","Week 5: Measuring RF Power Output: Monopolar Cut and Coagulation Modes","Week 6: Measuring RF Power Output: Bipolar and Blended Modes","Week 7: Understanding and Testing Leakage Currents: Patient and Enclosure","Week 8: LAB & Midterm Review: Comprehensive ESU Power and Leakage Analysis","Week 9: Alarm Functionality Testing and Safety Interlock Verification","Week 10: Return Electrode Monitoring (REM) System Testing","Week 11: LAB: Accessory Testing – Footswitches, Handpieces, and Cables","Week 12: Documentation of Test Results and Reporting Standards","Week 13: Troubleshooting ESU Failures Based on Analyzer Data","Week 14: Capstone Service Project: Full ESU Performance Validation"]