Electrosurgical Generators Industry Research Report 2026

Definition

Electrosurgical generators are active medical electrical devices that convert mains power into controlled high frequency alternating electrical energy for cutting, coagulating, desiccating, fulgurating, or sealing biological tissue. A generator typically comprises an isolated power supply, radiofrequency oscillator and amplifier, output network, control electronics, user interface, activation circuits, instrument connectors, tissue sensing circuits, and safety monitoring functions. It regulates output voltage, current, power, waveform, duty cycle, and crest factor as tissue impedance changes during energy delivery. In monopolar operation, current flows from an active electrode through the target tissue and patient to a neutral electrode connected to the generator. In bipolar operation, current flows mainly between two electrodes incorporated into the surgical instrument, limiting the active circuit to the tissue held between them. Combined generators provide both output configurations within one unit. Advanced systems may incorporate impedance feedback, automatic power adjustment, vessel sealing algorithms, neutral electrode contact monitoring, arc control, output isolation, activation verification, alarm logic, and interfaces for hand controls, footswitches, argon delivery units, smoke evacuation equipment, endoscopic instruments, or robotic instruments. Clinical performance depends on the complete electrical circuit formed by the generator, cables, electrodes, surgical instrument, patient tissue, and any required neutral electrode. Electrocautery equipment heats an instrument tip without delivering radiofrequency current through patient tissue. Ultrasonic, laser, microwave, cryogenic, and dedicated cardiac or tumor ablation generators constitute separate equipment categories unless a combined system incorporates an independently controlled electrosurgical output.