Monopolar; Patient Return Electrodes - Covidien ForceTriad Service 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:
• "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.
• 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 system. This disperses
the current over a larger area and minimizes the current concentration at the finger tips.
• Use the lowest power setting possible for the minimum time necessary to achieve hemostasis.
• Activate the system 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 REM system
functions 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.
Use of duty cycles greater than 25% (10 seconds active followed by 30 seconds inactive) increases
the risk that heat build-up under a return electrode may be high enough to injure the patient. Do
not continuously activate for longer than one minute.
ForceTriad Energy Platform Service Manual
Monopolar
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