Design and Implementation of a Didactic Monopolar Electrosurgical Simulator for Biomedical Engineering Education

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56294/evk2025138

Keywords:

Didactic simulator, monopolar electrosurgical unit, biomedical engineering, ESP32, technical training

Abstract

This work presents the development of a didactic monopolar electrosurgical unit (ESU) simulator, designed as a support tool for the technical training in the handling and basic operation of this medical device within academic environments. The simulator aims to facilitate both theoretical understanding and practical experience of the electrosurgical unit’s operating principles, allowing students to interact with a functional system that replicates its primary modes: cutting and coagulation. The system architecture is based on an ESP32 microcontroller, which generates PWM signals within an adjustable range of 200 kHz to 1 MHz, controlled via rotary encoder potentiometers, and displayed in real time through an LCD screen with I2C interface. The power stage integrates an IRFZ44N MOSFET and a high-frequency transformer, configured to maintain energy levels within safe limits. The activation circuit incorporates 4N25 optocouplers, ensuring electrical isolation between user controls and the power electronics. This simulator is conceived as a formative platform capable of replicating realistic operational scenarios, promoting safe, scalable, and practical learning—particularly suited for biomedical engineering education and related disciplines.

References

Boylestad, R. L., & Nashelsky, L. (2017). Fundamentals of electronics (11th ed.). Pearson.

Fluke Corporation. (2022). Guía de uso del Fluke Biomedical ESA620. https://www.fluke.com/manuales/esa620.

Garcés, J. E., & Villalobos, H. A. (2018). Simuladores didácticos como herramientas para el aprendizaje activo en ingeniería. Revista Educación en Ingeniería, 13(25), 59–66. https://doi.org/10.26507/rei.v13n25.763

González, M., Pérez, L., & Ortega, F. (2021). Aplicaciones clínicas del electrobisturí en cirugía general. Revista Latinoamericana de Tecnología Médica, 18(2), 115–123.

Hakanen, J. J., & Luoto, L. (2012). Open source hardware in engineering education: Case of Arduino. IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON.2012.6201053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON.2012.6201053

López, R., & Ramírez, D. (2019). Principios físicos y operación segura del electrobisturí. Revista de Ciencias Biomédicas, 11(1), 33–40.

Martínez, J., Herrera, P., & Quispe, M. (2018). Diseño de simuladores para la enseñanza de dispositivos médicos en educación superior. Avances en Ingeniería Biomédica, 6(1), 20–28.

Vallejos, C., & Méndez, A. (2020). Limitaciones en la formación práctica en ingeniería biomédica: Un análisis desde la perspectiva latinoamericana. Educación en Ingeniería y Tecnología, 5(3), 55–63.

Downloads

Published

2025-06-20

Issue

Section

Original

How to Cite

1.
Nava Angulo N, Chavez Jaldin EP, Ortega Martinez RA, Calle Viles E. Design and Implementation of a Didactic Monopolar Electrosurgical Simulator for Biomedical Engineering Education. eVitroKhem [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 20 [cited 2025 Aug. 27];4:138. Available from: https://evk.ageditor.ar/index.php/evk/article/view/138