A tissue segmentation device, comprising: at least one active electrode; a return electrode; a mechanical force application mechanism; a voltage sensor; a current sensor; and a controller configured to control a power output of the segmentation device, the controller comprising a processing component, responsive to the voltage sensor and the current sensor, configured to execute the following: (a) derive a power factor of power applied to the at least one electrode; and (b) responsive to the deriving a power factor, assign a circuit status to a circuit comprising the at least one electrode; wherein IF (PF ≈ 0) and ((Vrms/Irms) ≥ T), THEN the circuit status is "open"; and IF (PF ≈ 0) and ((Vrms/Irms) < T), THEN the circuit status is "short"; where PF is the power factor; Vrms is the root mean square of a voltage associated with the power applied to the at least one electrode; Irms is the root mean square of a current associated with the power applied to the at least one electrode; and T is a threshold value, characterised in that the mechanical force application mechanism is configured to apply a cutting force to tissue abutting the at least one active electrode, the mechanical force application mechanism responsive to a tissue segmentation control signal from the controller; and the processing component is further configured to execute the following: (c) compare a first rate of travel of the at least one active electrode to at least one of a rate of travel parameter, a second rate of travel of the at least one active electrode, or a first rate of travel of a second active electrode; and (d) responsive to the comparing a first rate of travel, adjust the tissue segmentation control signal to effectuate a change in the cutting force applied to the at least one active electrode by the mechanical force application mechanism. at least one active electrode; a return electrode; a mechanical force application mechanism; a voltage sensor; a current sensor; and a controller configured to control a power output of the segmentation device, the controller comprising a processing component, responsive to the voltage sensor and the current sensor, configured to execute the following: (a) derive a power factor of power applied to the at least one electrode; and (b) responsive to the deriving a power factor, assign a circuit status to a circuit comprising the at least one electrode; wherein IF (PF ≈ 0) and ((Vrms/Irms) ≥ T), THEN the circuit status is "open"; and IF (PF ≈ 0) and ((Vrms/Irms) < T), THEN the circuit status is "short"; where PF is the power factor; Vrms is the root mean square of a voltage associated with the power applied to the at least one electrode; Irms is the root mean square of a current associated with the power applied to the at least one electrode; and T is a threshold value, (a) derive a power factor of power applied to the at least one electrode; and (b) responsive to the deriving a power factor, assign a circuit status to a circuit comprising the at least one electrode; wherein IF (PF ≈ 0) and ((Vrms/Irms) ≥ T), THEN the circuit status is "open"; and IF (PF ≈ 0) and ((Vrms/Irms) < T), THEN the circuit status is "short"; where PF is the power factor; Vrms is the root mean square of a voltage associated with the power applied to the at least one electrode; Irms is the root mean square of a current associated with the power applied to the at least one electrode; and T is a threshold value, IF (PF ≈ 0) and ((Vrms/Irms) ≥ T), THEN the circuit status is "open"; and IF (PF ≈ 0) and ((Vrms/Irms) < T), THEN the circuit status is "short"; PF is the power factor; Vrms is the root mean square of a voltage associated with the power applied to the at least one electrode; Irms is the root mean square of a current associated with the power applied to the at least one electrode; and T is a threshold value, characterised in that the mechanical force application mechanism is configured to apply a cutting force to tissue abutting the at least one active electrode, the mechanical force application mechanism responsive to a tissue segmentation control signal from the controller; and the processing component is further configured to execute the following: (c) compare a first rate of travel of the at least one active electrode to at least one of a rate of travel parameter, a second rate of travel of the at least one active electrode, or a first rate of travel of a second active electrode; and (d) responsive to the comparing a first rate of travel, adjust the tissue segmentation control signal to effectuate a change in the cutting force applied to the at least one active electrode by the mechanical force application mechanism. (c) compare a first rate of travel of the at least one active electrode to at least one of a rate of travel parameter, a second rate of travel of the at least one active electrode, or a first rate of travel of a second active electrode; and (d) responsive to the comparing a first rate of travel, adjust the tissue segmentation control signal to effectuate a change in the cutting force applied to the at least one active electrode by the mechanical force application mechanism.