18
ICS Aircal
Performing a Caloric Irrigation
4.1.4
Activation Trigger Operation
If airflow is on and temperature is ±0.4 of the set value, pressing the activation trigger on the handle will start the
countdown timer and flash the light in the delivery head. (The set temperature must be reached to start the timer and
for the light to flash.)
If the ICS Aircal device is connected to an ICS VNG/ENG system:
•
In VNG, first depression also starts the tracing and successive depressions start the video recorder or center
tracing depending on software configuration.
•
In ENG, first depression also starts the tracing and successive depressions centers the tracing.
If the computer is turned on but the Natus VNG/ENG software is not running, flow time may be activated by holding
down the flow time activation trigger for 5 seconds. The functions of the flow time activation trigger operate in
parallel with the foot switch on the delivery head.
Pressing the activation trigger on the handle more than once will NOT stop or restart the countdown timer. If airflow
is off, pressing the activation trigger on the handle will NOT start the countdown timer.
4.2
Foot Switch
Operation
A foot switch is used to activate the flow timer.
If an ICS VNG/ENG system is connected and a caloric test has been selected in the software, the first depression of the
foot switch will initiate the duration timer and the recording of the trace in the software. Subsequent depressions will
center the tracing (ENG/VNG) or start the video recording (VNG only).
If the computer is turned on but the Natus VNG/ENG software is not running, flow time may be activated by holding
down the foot switch for 5 seconds. The functions of the foot switch operate in parallel with the flow time activation
trigger on the delivery head.
Pressing the foot switch more than once will NOT stop or restart the countdown timer.
If the ICS Aircal device is in standby mode, pressing the foot switch will NOT start the countdown timer. In standby
mode, the foot switch can start any test in the ICS VNG/ENG software.
5
Performing a Caloric Irrigation
5.1
Preparation for testing
Turn on the unit by pressing the power switch at the bottom left of the front panel. The default temperature (cool is
the default) will automatically be selected as indicated by the illumination of the green LED and the digital display. The
actual temperature will flash until the set temperature is reached. It takes approximately 60 seconds for set
temperature to be reached when the unit is turned on, initially. When the set temperature is reached (±0.4°C), the
actual temperature display will stop flashing.
Using a regular otoscope or the delivery head with airflow turned off, examine the ear canal for the presence of
cerumen and to determine how best to direct the airstream. The ear canal should be essentially free of cerumen. If it is
not, cerumen must be removed prior to stimulating. Do not use water to remove cerumen as this will cause the
temperatures in the ear canal to be cooler than desired due to left over water in the ear canal.
