maxium® smart C Electrosurgery Unit with maxium® smart Beam
Revision 1
21
Conversely, metallic implants directly under the
neutral electrode may act as a collecting lens for the
current flowing to the neutral electrode. They cause
current concentrations entailing a risk of burns.
The current concentration caused by the implant
may lead to local overheating which presents an
additional risk for the integrity of the implant itself.
Similarly, metal parts on or in the skin surface, such
as rings, bracelets, chains, earrings, studs and body
piercings may cause a focusing of the flow field on
and under the surface of the skin.
The skin under the neutral electrode may itself be
very heterogeneous, e.g. due to scars. The
assumption of a smooth transition of the monopolar
electricity from the patient to the neutral electrode is
based on the notion that the skin to which the
neutral electrode is applied covers a muscle layer
with good conductivity in the electrosurgical sense.
However, in the area of the upper limbs, which are a
preferred application site for the neutral electrode,
particular in obese patients there is actually a layer of
fatty tissue with poor conductivity. As a result, under
these conditions the current will return to a neutral
electrode not from the depths of the tissue, but
rather superficially from the direction of the opera-
tion field, with consequential current concentration
along the edge of the neutral electrode facing the
operation field.
The risk of burns under of the neutral electrode is particularly high if monopolar cutting or contact
coagulation currents with particularly high power and longer duration are used (e.g. TUR-P, endometrium
ablation).
Do not use adhesive electrodes whose gel layer is injured, nor adhesive electrodes that have been
detached. 2
nd
or 3
rd
degree burns might result.
The cable clip for the connection of the adhesive electrode must cover the gel-free connector straps so that
they cannot come into contact with the patient. Make sure that the cable clip and the connector straps
match.
