Valleylab ForceTriad, User Manual

Page: 19 / 100

General
Patient and Operating Room
Saf
e
ty
ForceTriad User’s Guide 2-3
a. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Control of Smoke from La-
ser/Electric Surgical Procedures. HAZARD CONTROLS, Publication
No. 96-128, September, 1996.
Contact between the active electrode and any metal will greatly increase current
flow and can result in unintended surgical effect.
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).
• Do not use metal needle monitoring electrodes.
Caution
Read all warnings, cautions, and instructions provided with this energy platform
before using.
Read the instructions, warnings, and cautions provided with electrosurgical
instruments before using. Specific instructions for electrosurgical instruments are
not included in this manual.
For surgical procedures where the current could flow through delicate parts of the
body, the use of bipolar techniques may be desirable in order to avoid unwanted
coagulation.
Examine all instruments and connections to the system before using. Ensure that
the instruments function as intended. Improper connection may result in arcs,
sparks, instrument malfunction, or unintended surgical effects.
Do not turn the activation tone down to an inaudible level. The activation tone
alerts the surgical team when the energy platform is delivering RF energy.
A non-functioning ForceTriad energy platform may cause interruption of surgery.
A backup system should be available for use.
Studies have shown that smoke generated during electrosurgical procedures can
be potentially harmful to patients and the surgical team. These studies
recommend adequately ventilating the smoke by using a surgical smoke
evacuator or other means.
a
Inadvertent activation may occur while installing, removing, or bending
electrodes. Ensure that the instrument cord is not connected to the ForceTriad
energy platform or that the system is OFF.
Warning