Electrosurgical generators built prior to the late 1960s did not incorporate any type of monitoring device to ensure proper connection of the return electrode, either to the patient or the ESU. Reports of burn injuries caused by a breach of the return electrode pathway led manufacturers of electrosurgical equipment to develop a monitor circuit, which incorporated a dual conductor patient cable, rather than a simple single conductor cable. A low voltage current is introduced into the circuit and travels through one conductor of the patient cable, through the patient plate, and back to the unit via the second conductor of the cable. If this low voltage current is interrupted for any reason, an alarm sounds and the unit's output is disabled.
This should be considered the minimum requirement from a safety standpoint for any electrosurgical generator. This monitoring system does have one limitation: it cannot detect proper adherence of the return electrode to the patient. It only assures that the patient cable is connected.
Jinhua Huacheng Medical Appliance Co.,Ltd.
Manufactuer of disposable medical products: Electrosurgical pencil,grounding plate,skin stapler and ECG electrode
