What is an electrosurgical unit and what does it do?

An electrosurgical unit, often called an ESU or electrosurgical generator, is a surgical energy platform that helps clinicians cut tissue and control bleeding using electrical energy.
In real-world terms, the “right” ESU is the one that delivers consistent clinical effects while helping your team work smoothly, safely, and efficiently across the procedures you perform most.

Depending on the model and configuration, ESUs can support core techniques like electrosurgical cutting and coagulation, bipolar functionality, and advanced energy workflows used across modern surgical specialties.

How to choose the right ESU for your facility

When customers ask us what ESU they should buy, we guide the decision around a few practical considerations. Here’s a clear way to think about it:

• Procedure environment:
  a hospital OR may prioritize broad capability and integration, while an office-based suite may prioritize simplicity, footprint, and fast setup.
• Clinical mix:
  general surgery, GI, OB/GYN, ENT, dermatology, pain management, and interventional specialties can have very different energy needs.
• Monopolar and bipolar requirements:
  some teams need robust bipolar performance; others are focused on reliable monopolar cutting and hemostasis.
• Smoke management:
  if you’re creating plume, a smoke evacuation strategy can be just as important as the generator itself.
• Workflow and ergonomics:
  mounting, carts, footswitches, and room layout decisions can reduce friction and keep the field clear.

Featured electrosurgical units we carry at Auxo Medical

Below is a practical sampling of ESUs and energy platforms from our electrosurgical category.
If you want help choosing between options, we can recommend a best-fit configuration based on your procedures, room layout, and clinical priorities.

Advanced energy platforms for the OR and high-acuity environments

• Covidien Valleylab FX8 Electrosurgical Unit
  A modern energy platform built for precision-focused electrosurgery across tissue division, hemostasis, and dissection.
  A strong fit for hospital ORs and busy surgical teams that want a versatile system designed around consistent energy delivery.
• Medtronic Covidien Valleylab FT10 Energy Platform (VLFT10GEN)
  A multi-generator energy platform designed to power a broad range of energy-based surgical devices, supporting monopolar and bipolar workflows.
  A great option for facilities standardizing equipment across rooms or expanding energy capability without constantly swapping platforms.
• Covidien Valleylab Force Triad Electrosurgical Unit
  A comprehensive energy platform that combines electrosurgical cutting and coagulation with bipolar functionality and advanced vessel sealing capability.
  Often considered when teams want a consolidated, full-feature energy solution for a wide procedural mix.
• ERBE VIO 300D Electrosurgical Unit
  A high-end electrosurgical system designed to support a wide range of disciplines, with automatic power adjustment features that help match output to the clinical indication.
  A strong match for facilities that want a sophisticated platform built for broad surgical coverage.

Reliable full-feature generators for daily surgical workflows

• Valleylab Force FX ESU
  A trusted generator designed to deliver the selected power accurately, even through challenging tissue, with technology that adapts to tissue changes and helps maintain consistent delivery.
  Commonly chosen by teams that value dependable performance and familiarity in everyday electrosurgery.
• Valleylab Force FX-C ESU
  A full-power electrosurgical generator with a versatile set of cut, coagulation, and bipolar modes, designed to adapt automatically to tissue changes.
  A solid option for ORs and procedure rooms that want a capable workhorse ESU.
• Conmed 2450 Electrosurgical Unit
  A practical, procedure-ready electrosurgical generator designed for a wide range of surgical applications, with technology focused on synchronizing output for consistent clinical effect.
  A good fit for facilities that want straightforward operation without sacrificing capability.
• ConMed Sabre 2400
  A full-power electrosurgical generator built to accommodate broad surgical needs, with enhanced bipolar performance and programming features that support standardization across rooms.
  A strong choice for hospitals and surgery centers that want repeatable setups and consistent workflows.

Electrosurgery for office-based and outpatient procedure settings

• ConMed Sabre Genesis
  A compact unit designed for office-based electrosurgical procedures, built around consistent delivery of power and clinical effect while minimizing surrounding tissue impact.
  Ideal for outpatient settings where footprint, simplicity, and reliable performance matter.
• ConMed Sabre 180
  A versatile ESU used across a wide variety of environments, including head and neck surgery, LEEP procedures, cardiac cath labs, laparoscopy carts, endoscopy, interventional radiology, and physician offices.
  A smart option when your facility needs broad flexibility across departments.
• Conmed Hyfrecator 2000
  A recognizable choice for outpatient workflows that benefit from programmable settings and sterile-field-friendly control.
  Often selected for clinics that want efficient room turnover and repeatable outcomes across common procedures.

Great options for surgery centers and mixed procedure environments

• Infinium Edge 160 Electrosurgery Unit
  Designed for light to medium surgical procedures, supporting core cut and coagulation workflows with a focus on precision and safety monitoring.
  A good match for procedure rooms and facilities that want capability without unnecessary complexity.
• Infinium Edge 200 Electrosurgery Unit
  Built for monopolar and bipolar procedures and often considered by surgery centers focused on minimally invasive techniques.
  A strong pick when you want an ESU that supports modern surgical workflows with safety-oriented design.
• Infinium Edge 400 Electrosurgical Generator
  A high-functionality platform supporting a wide range of applications across monopolar and bipolar surgery.
  A solid choice for facilities that want broad capability and programmable workflows for a diverse case mix.
• Aaron Bovie A1250S Electrosurgical Unit
  A versatile ESU supporting monopolar and bipolar modes for facilities that want reliable performance across common surgical needs.
  A strong option for outpatient surgery, procedure suites, and multi-specialty clinics.
• Aaron Bovie A2350 – Bovie Surgi-Center | PRO 200W Electrosurgical Generator
  A high-power OR-focused generator with safety-oriented design elements like return electrode monitoring and tissue sensing, plus specialized modalities for laparoscopic and delicate procedures.
  A great fit for operating rooms and surgery centers that want a strong balance of power and safety features.
• Erbe ICC 80 ESU
  A compact unit with features designed for controlled cutting quality, making it a useful option for teams performing delicate work.
  It’s also relevant for endoscopy-related workflows where controlled cutting and fractionation are important.
• Erbe ICC 200
  A comfortable, capable generator with controlled cutting and a broad set of coagulation functions.
  Often considered for facilities that want dependable performance across a wide procedural range.

Compact, everyday electrosurgery options

• Aaron Bovie 950 High Frequency Generator
  A versatile generator option for a variety of electrosurgical applications, often selected when teams want a straightforward unit for common clinical needs.
• Aaron BOVIE 2250
  A multipurpose electrosurgical generator supporting monopolar and bipolar functions, frequently considered by facilities looking for a reliable ESU for modern procedure environments.
• Aaron Bovie 1250 Desiccator
  A practical option for facilities that need consistent monopolar and bipolar performance for everyday cases, with an emphasis on dependable operation.

Specialized electrosurgery performance

• ConMed Excalibur Plus PC
  An ESU designed for surgical teams that want strong performance and field-friendly control, helping the surgeon stay focused on the procedure while adjusting power from the sterile field.

Surgical smoke evacuation systems and filters we carry

Surgical smoke is more than a nuisance. It can reduce visibility at the surgical site, irritate staff, and contribute to unwanted odor and residue in the room.
If your facility is investing in electrosurgery, it’s worth building a smoke strategy at the same time.

Smoke evacuation systems

• ConMed AER DEFENSE Smoke Evacuation System
  Designed to remove surgical smoke and help protect staff and patients from plume-related hazards.
  A strong fit for ORs and procedure rooms looking for a quiet, versatile smoke evacuation approach.
• Aaron Bovie SE2 Smoke Shark Evacuator
  A compact smoke evacuator designed to remove smoke and particulates during surgical procedures.
  Great for busy clinical environments that want a space-friendly option that’s easy to store and deploy.
• Buffalo Filter Porta PlumeSafe 604 Smoke Evacuation System
  A portable surgical smoke evacuator well-suited for veterinary and non-acute care settings where moderate flow is needed.
  A practical choice for outpatient and veterinary surgical suites that want an easy-to-use system with filter life tracking.
• ValleyLab Force Optimumm Smoke Evacuator Unit
  A smoke evacuator designed to integrate into an electrosurgery workflow, helping capture and filter smoke at the surgical site while supporting efficient room setup.
  A strong option for teams building a consistent smoke evacuation standard in the OR.

Smoke evacuation filters

• ConMed AER DEFENSE Smoke Evacuation FILTERS – Case of 2
  Replacement filters for facilities running the AER DEFENSE system and maintaining consistent smoke evacuation performance over time.

ESU carts, mobility, and control accessories

Electrosurgery performance matters, but so does how your room runs.
Carts and control accessories can reduce clutter, speed up setup, and help keep your team focused on the surgical field.

• Universal Cart For ValleyLab ESUs
  A mobile mounting cart designed to improve OR organization by consolidating key devices on a single platform.
  Helpful for operating rooms and procedure suites that want cleaner cable management and better space use.
• Medtronic Covidien Valleylab Triad FT900 Cart
  A cart designed to support the Valleylab energy platform workflow in the surgical environment.
  Useful when standardizing setups across rooms and improving day-to-day ergonomics.
• Aaron Bovie BV-1254B Bipolar footswitch
  A bipolar footswitch option that supports compatible Aaron Bovie generators.
  A good fit for teams optimizing control preferences for bipolar technique during procedures.

Who benefits from these electrosurgical units?

We support teams across hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and physician offices that rely on electrosurgery every day, including:

• General surgery and multi-specialty ORs
• Endoscopy and GI suites performing electrosurgical cutting and controlled coagulation workflows
• OB/GYN and women’s health clinics supporting outpatient electrosurgery and LEEP workflows
• ENT and head and neck procedure environments
• Interventional radiology and cardiac cath labs needing flexible ESU setups
• Veterinary surgical suites that benefit from portable smoke evacuation and dependable electrosurgery

Why buy electrosurgical units from Auxo Medical?

We distribute industry-standard electrosurgical units across specialties, focusing on precision, safety, flexibility, reliability, and convenience.
Our inventory includes brand new, reconditioned, and refurbished equipment, so you can align performance requirements with budget goals.

We also support healthcare facilities with medical equipment service, maintenance, and repair—helping reduce downtime and keep clinical schedules moving.

Regional support and service coverage

We’re headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and we support facilities across key service regions including Virginia, Maryland, Washington, DC, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio.
If you need help selecting an ESU, integrating smoke evacuation, or planning ongoing maintenance support, we’re ready to help.

FAQ: Electrosurgical units and smoke evacuation

What does ESU stand for?

ESU stands for electrosurgical unit. It’s also commonly called an electrosurgical generator, and it’s used to deliver energy for cutting and coagulation during procedures.

Do we really need smoke evacuation for electrosurgery?

If your procedures generate plume, smoke evacuation can materially improve the working environment by improving visibility and reducing smoke and particulates in the room.
It also helps many teams standardize cleaner, more consistent OR practices.

Can an ESU work in a physician office setting?

Yes—some ESUs are specifically designed for office-based electrosurgical procedures, where compact footprint and simple setup can be priorities.
We can help match the unit to the procedure types and room workflow you run every day.