ConMed sabre 180, Service Manual

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1-4
1.1.3 Precautions in Use
•The use of monopolar electrosurgery on small
appendages, as in circumcision or finger surgery,
can cause thrombosis and other unintended injury
to tissue proximal to the surgical site. Bipolar
techniques avoid these complications.
•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
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 Foil RETURN Alarm is sounded
intraoperatively, visually confirm proper return
electrode attachment to the patient prior to press-
ing the Monitor Set Button.
•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 con-
sult your Conmed representative.
•Observe all caution and warning notices printed
on the cover of the unit.
•The staff should never contact electrosurgical
electrodes (either active or dispersive) 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. Place hot
accessories in a test tube after use. An alternative
is to wait a few seconds after activation for the tip
to cool, and then place the accessory into the sup-
plied holster.
•Electrosurgical currents can produce severe elec-
trical interference with or damage to other nearby
electronic devices. Physiologic monitors should be
equipped with electrosurgical filters and current-
limiting devices (RF chokes). Monitoring elec-
trodes should be placed as far as possible from the
surgical site. Video endoscopy equipment, espe-
cially camera cables, should have adequate and
undamaged electrical shielding.
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 once a
year.
•Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Your
Conmed representative will be happy to assist you
in getting your equipment serviced.
•High voltages are developed within the unit that
are accessible when the top cover is removed.
These voltages are potentially dangerous and
should be treated with extreme caution.
•Never remove or install any parts with power
on.
•Avoid contact with the output leads when the
unit is activated. Periodically inspect the test leads
used for the output connections for obvious
defects.
•Although this unit will withstand momentary
short circuits on the output, prolonged short cir-
cuits may damage the unit. Short-circuiting the
output should be avoided since it is neither neces-
sary nor desirable.
•Since the clinical use of electrosurgical units is
intermittent in nature with duty cycles on the
order of 10%, this unit is not designed to operate
for extended periods of continuous output. When
testing, it is recommended that duty cycles be
limited to 50% with maximum activation times
of 30 seconds.
•Life of the equipment will be extended by mini-
mizing operating temperature and extreme ther-
mal cycles.