Special Features
Introduction
Force EZ-C Series Service Manual
2-5
How the REM System Works
The REM system continuously measures the resistance at the return electrode site
and compares it to a standard range of safe resistance (between 5 and 135 ohms),
thus eliminating intermittent false alarms that could result from small changes in
resistance. The REM system also adapts to individual patients by measuring the
initial contact resistance between the patient and the patient return electrode and
lowering the baseline resistance if the contact resistance drops.
A REM alarm sounds and the generator stops producing output power when
either
of the following occurs:
•
The measured resistance is below 5 ohms or above 135 ohms, the limits of the
standard range of safe resistance.
•
An increase in contact resistance is greater than 40% from the initial
measurement (baseline resistance).
Electrodes Without the REM Safety Feature
When you use a patient return electrode that does not have the REM safety
feature, the REM system does not monitor the patient contact area as previously
described. The REM system monitors only the pin-to-pin resistance at the
connector and can detect broken wires or connectors in the return electrode cord.
Special Features
Five special features allow customizing the Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical
Generator. You can access these features only in the setup mode. For details on
selecting these features, refer to
Setting Up the Special Features
in Chapter 4 of
the User’s Guide.
Low (Desiccate) Coag Settings
The low (desiccate) coag mode provides three settings with subtle differences in
output characteristics:
•
Low 1
is appropriate for the majority of surgical procedures. It provides tissue
desiccation with a minimal tendency to cut or spark.
•
Low 2
produces tissue desiccation and further reduces the chance of cutting or
sparking by using the lowest possible voltage (ð 200 V
rms
).
•
Low 3
uses a slightly higher voltage (ð 300 V
rms
) than the low 2 setting, but
offers comparable desiccation.
Warning
Using a patient return electrode without the REM safety feature will not activate
the Valleylab REM Contact Quality Monitoring System.
