Valleylab ForceTriad, User Manual

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Monopolar
Patient and Operating Room
Saf
e
ty
ForceTriad User’s Guide 2-7
After Surgery
Monopolar
Warning
Electric Shock Hazard Always turn off and unplug the energy platform before
cleaning.
Caution
Do not reprocess, reuse or resterilize instruments labeled “disposable” or “single
use only.”
Notice
Do not clean the energy platform with abrasive cleaning or disinfectant
compounds, solvents, or other materials that could scratch the panels or damage
the energy platform.
Warning
Simultaneously activating suction/irrigation and electrosurgical current may result
in increased arcing at the electrode tip, burns to unintended tissues, or shocks
and burns to the surgical team.
Some surgeons may elect to “buzz the hemostat” during surgical procedures. It is
not recommended, and the hazards of such a practice probably cannot be
eliminated. Burns to the surgeon’s hands are possible. To minimize the risk take
these precautions:
• Do not “buzz the hemostat” with a needle electrode.
• Do not lean on the patient, the table, or the retractors while buzzing the
hemostat.
• Activate cut rather than coag. Cut has a lower voltage than coag.
• Firmly grasp as much of the hemostat as possible before activating the energy
platform. This disperses the current over a larger area and minimizes the
current concentration at the finger tips.
• “Buzz the hemostat” below hand level (as close as possible to the patient) to
reduce the opportunity for current to follow alternate paths through the
surgeon’s hands.
• Use the lowest power setting possible for the minimum time necessary to
achieve hemostasis.
• Activate the energy platform after the instrument makes contact with the
hemostat. Do not arc to the hemostat.
• When using a coated or nonstick blade electrode, place the edge of the
electrode against the hemostat or other metal instrument.