DU-MND–0013-01 Rev A 9/28/10 GCX Corp. Page 2 of 10
1.0. Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Warnings
This section contains warnings regarding the installation, operation, and maintenance of the VHM
Arm. This section must be read in its entirety before installing, operating, and maintaining the VHM
Arm. Failure to follow these warnings may result in damage to equipment or injury to personnel.
Warnings
• Do not position VHM Arm or mounted instrument above a patient. Note that the VHM ARM
has a wide range of motion both up/down and side to side. Please consider carefully the
instrument being mounted and the proximity of the mounting assembly to other
equipment, hospital personnel, and the patient. GCX recommends that the hospital’s risk
management personnel verify that the application is appropriate prior to installation and
use of the VHM Arm.
• If VHM Arm is wall mounted, verify that the channel has been installed and approved in
accordance with channel installation guide.
• Ensure that the weight of the instrument being mounted does not exceed the load rating of
the VHM Arm. Check the bottom surface of the Arm for "Maximum Load" label (see 2.1 for
label location). Mounted instrument must be within "Optimal Weight Range" for best
performance.
• The Height Locking Lever or Knob must be engaged when
removing a mounted instrument from the VHM Arm.
• Stand to the side of the VHM Arm and mounted instrument and
use caution when disengaging the Height Locking Knob. The
total mounted load may have changed due to the addition or
removal of equipment (other than primary instrument) while the
Height Locking Knob was engaged. A change in the total load
can cause a sudden downward or upward movement of the Arm
when the Height Locking Knob is disengaged.
• The mounted device may move suddenly due to normal wear or improper adjustment of the tilt
and swivel functions (see Sections 4.0 and 4.1) or ultimately, gas spring end of life. The VHM
Arm must be inspected and adjusted at least two times per year. This inspection must include
the following steps:
1) With the device(s)
mounted, release the lock and move the arm through its entire vertical
range of motion. The load should maintain its position at every point in the travel of arm. If
necessary, the counterbalance mechanism may be adjusted in accordance with section
4.0.
2) Grasp the mounted device and swivel it from side to side. The device should swivel with
some tension or resistance, not loosely. If necessary, the swivel tension may be adjusted
in accordance with section 4.5) Grasp the Arm and pivot it from side to side at the channel
attachment. The arm should pivot with some tension or resistance, not loosely. If
necessary, the pivot tension may be adjusted in accordance with section 4.4.
4) Grasp the mounted device and tilt it forward and back, through its entire range of motion.
There should be enough tension or resistance in the tilt mechanism to prevent the device
from tilting forward unexpectedly when in use. If necessary, the tilt tension may be
adjusted in accordance with section 4.6.
5) Inspect all remaining fasteners for looseness. Tighten as required for optimal operation and
safety.
6) The VHM Arm housing must never be disassembled by non-GCX personnel.
Failure to periodically inspect and adjust the Arm as instructed may result in damage to equipment
or injury. If properly maintained, the VHM Arm should function properly for 5 to 10 years. If you are
unable to adjust the arm or require service, contact GCX technical support at 800-228-2555.
Install your VHM Arm in the sequence presented in this manual (Sections 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0).
