Using the Electrosurgical Unit (ESU) with Monopolar and Bipolar Instruments
da Vinci SP Instruments and Accessories
38
DR
AFT/PRE-RELEASE/C
ONFIDENTIAL
12/5/19
WARNING: Do not use one instrument to energize the tips of another instrument
(robotic or manual laparoscopic). This may cause patient injury and damage to the
instrument. Energy may flow to the patient from places other than the tip, inside or
outside the field of view. Avoid close proximity to other instrument tips when
energizing monopolar instruments.
WARNING: Use the lowest power setting possible for the minimum time necessary
to achieve the desired effect.
WARNING: Excessive power or effect levels may result in instrument malfunction
and possible patient or user injury. Reduce power or effect setting if any of the
following effects are observed: excessive arcing, excessive tissue charring, excessive
overheating of the tip (for example, the tip glowing red or emitting a blue plasma
cloud).
WARNING: Never increase the effect settings without first checking both the active
electrode and the patient neutral pad (grounding pad) and their connections. Use
the active electrode or forceps only for the minimum time necessary to achieve the
desired surgical effect in order to minimize the possibility of burns.
WARNING: Thermal spread adjacent to target tissue may result in unintended burns
to surrounding tissue.
WARNING: Inspect instruments and cables for damage prior to each use, especially
the insulation of laparoscopic/endoscopic instruments. This may be done visually
under magnification.
WARNING: Visual inspection alone may not be sufficient to ensure that the
insulation is intact. The EnergyShield Monitor must be used with monopolar
instruments.
WARNING: Do not activate an electrosurgical instrument when not in contact with
target tissue, as this may cause injuries due to capacitive coupling with other
surgical equipment.
WARNING: Do not attempt to activate an EndoWrist SP instrument via an auxiliary
foot pedal.
WARNING: Do not use an instrument to clean debris from another instrument inside
the patient. This may result in damage to the instruments or other unintended
consequences, such as disconnection of the instrument tip. To clean an instrument
intraoperatively, remove the instrument from the system and wipe the instrument
tip with moist sterile gauze.
