Covidien Force FX-C, User Manual

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During Surgery
3-8 Force FX Electrosurgical Generator C User’s Guide
Forceps
Suction Coagulators
Contact with Metal Objects
Notice
Do not activate the generator until the forceps have made contact with the patient. Product
damage may occur.
Warning
To avoid the possibility of a burn to the surgeon, always turn the generator off before bending or
reshaping the coagulator suction tube.
Ensure that the outside of the coagulator suction tube remains free of blood and mucus. Failure
to clean the coagulator suction tube can allow electrical conductance by means of the
contaminants that may result in patient burns.
Do not immerse the suction coagulator handswitch mechanism in saline solution or other
conductive fluids. Unintended activation may result.
Warning
Contact of the active electrode with any metal (such as hemostats, Gomco clamps, Kocher
clamps, etc.) will greatly increase current flow and can result in unintended, catastrophic burn
injury.
While using electrosurgery, the patient should not be allowed to come into direct contact with
grounded metal objects (e.g., surgical table frame, instrument table, etc.). If this is not possible
during certain procedures (e.g., those in which noninsulated head frames are used), use extreme
caution to maximize patient safety:
• Use the lowest power setting that achieves the desired effect.
• Place the patient return electrode as close to the surgical site as possible.
• Place dry gauze between the patient and the grounded object if possible.
• Continually monitor the contact point(s).