Monopolar; Patient Return Electrodes - Covidien ForceTriad User Manual

Monopolar

Warning
Simultaneously activating suction/irrigation and electrosurgical current may result in increased
arcing at the electrode tip, burns to unintended tissues, or shocks and burns to the surgical team.
Some surgeons may elect to "buzz the hemostat" during surgical procedures. It is not
recommended, and the hazards of such a practice probably cannot be eliminated. Burns to the
surgeon's hands are possible. To minimize the risk take these precautions:
• Do not buzz the hemostat with a needle electrode.
• Do not lean on the patient, the table, or the retractors while buzzing the hemostat.
• Activate cut rather than coag. Cut has a lower voltage than coag.
• Firmly grasp as much of the hemostat as possible before activating the energy platform. This
disperses the current over a larger area and minimizes the current concentration at the finger
tips.
• Buzz the hemostat below hand level (as close as possible to the patient) to reduce the
opportunity for current to follow alternate paths through the surgeon's hands.
• Use the lowest power setting possible for the minimum time necessary to achieve hemostasis.
• Activate the energy platform after the instrument makes contact with the hemostat. Do not
arc to the hemostat.
• When using a coated- or nonstick-blade electrode, place the edge of the electrode against the
hemostat or other metal instrument.

Patient Return Electrodes

Warning
Do not attempt to use patient return electrodes that disable the REM system. The ForceTriad Energy
Platform REM system will function correctly only with contact quality monitoring (CQM) split-style
patient return electrodes. Any other patient return electrode products may cause patient injury or
product damage.
The safe use of monopolar electrosurgery requires proper placement of the patient return
electrode. To avoid electrosurgical burns beneath the patient return electrode, follow all directions
provided with the product.
Do not cut a patient return electrode to reduce its size. Patient burns due to high current density
may result.
A patient return electrode is not necessary in bipolar or LigaSure procedures.
To avoid patient burns, ensure that the patient return electrode firmly and completely contacts the
skin. Always check the patient return electrode periodically and after the patient is repositioned
and during procedures involving long periods of activation.
ForceTriad Energy Platform User's Guide
Monopolar
2-7