Precautions In Use; Precautions When Testing Or Servicing - ConMed Sabre 2400 Operators & Service Manual

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• Skin to skin contacts, such as between the arm
and the body of a patient, should be avoided, by
the insertion of a cloth.
• The use of electrosurgery on patients with
cardiac pacemakers or pacemaker electrodes is
potentially hazardous because the pacemaker may
be irreparably damaged and/or the high frequency
energy of the electrosurgical output may interfere
with the action of the pacemaker and ventricu-
lar fibrillation may occur. Precautions should be
taken to ensure that the patient's well-being is
maintained in the event of such interference. We
recommend that the Cardiology Department and
the manufacturer of the pacemaker be consulted
for advice before operating on a patient with a
pacemaker. These precautions also apply to oper-
ating room personnel with cardiac pacemakers.
• To minimize the possibility of cardiac pace-
maker interference, place the return electrode such
that the electrosurgical current path is as near per-
pendicular as possible to the pacer lead.

1.1.3 Precautions in Use

• Do not use monopolar electrosurgery on small
appendages, as in circumcision or finger surgery,
as it can cause thrombosis and other unintended
injury to tissue proximal to the surgical site.
Please note ANSI/AAMI Standard HF-18-1993
which currently contraindicates both monopolar
and bipolar electrosurgery for circumcisions.
Urologic literature also contraindicates the use of
monopolar electrosurgery for circumcision, and
instead recommends the use of bipolar electro-
surgery where clinically indicated for hemostasis.
Physicians choosing to use bipolar electrosurgery
for circumcisions should be trained in this tech-
nique and knowledgeable of the effects of electro-
surgery on tissue of this nature.
Should you decide that the bipolar electrosurgical
technique is acceptable for circumcision, do not
apply the bipolar electrosurgical current directly
to circumcision clamps.
• Apparent low power output or failure of the
electrosurgical equipment to function correctly
at otherwise normal settings may indicate faulty
application of the return electrode, failure of an
electrical lead, or excessive accumulation of tissue
on the active electrode. Do not increase power
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output before checking for obvious defects or
misapplication. Check for effective contact of the
return electrode to the patient anytime that the
patient is moved after initial application of the
return electrode.
• If a Dual Pad RETURN MONITOR Alarm is
sounded intraoperatively, visually confirm proper
return electrode attachment to the patient prior to
pressing the MONITOR SET Key.
• Electrosurgical leads should not be allowed to
contact the patient, staff, or other leads connected
to the patient.
• The output power selected should be as low as
possible and activation times should be as short as
possible for the intended purpose.
• When uncertain of the proper control setting
for the power level in a given procedure, start
with a low setting and increase as required and/or
consult the factory.
• Observe all caution and warning notices printed
on the cover of the unit.
• The operating room staff should never contact
electrosurgical electrodes (either active or disper-
sive) while the RF output of the unit is energized.
• The tips of recently activated accessories may be
hot enough to burn the patient or ignite surgical
drapes or other flammable material. Wait a few
seconds after activation for the tip to cool, then
place the accessory into a pencil holster.
• Interference produced by the operation of this
unit may adversely influence the operation of
other electronic equipment.

1.1.4 Precautions When Testing or Servicing

• This electrosurgical unit should be tested by
qualified maintenance personnel on a periodic
basis to ensure proper and safe operation. We
suggest examination of the unit at least every six
months.
• Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Your
CONMED representative will be happy to assist
you in getting your equipment serviced.