27/04/04 ©
Söring
Users manual RF-units
1
not valid for MBC600
-15-
4. Patient safety
The power output should be reduced to a value as small as possible in order to
obtain maximum patient safety with the application. Apparent low output of the RF
surgical equipment to function correctly at the normal operating settings may
indicate faulty application of the patient electrode and its contact in its connections.
4.1. Patient placement
With applications of RF surgery equipment any contact of the patient with grounded metal parts
has to be carefully avoided. In order to ensure this, the following points must be observed
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The patient shall not touch any piece of metal (i.e. OR table or any other metal parts). If
necessary, insulating arm or leg cuffs must be put on.
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Conductive respirator hoses must not lay in contact with the patient.
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The patient must not be laid down on moist sheets.
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Excretions of the body such as perspiration, secretions, blood and so on, liquids put on
for cleaning purposes, or applied liquids like infusions and so on, must not soak through
the dry sheets. If necessary, it must be possible to suck it off immediately and
thoroughly in order to avoid the gathering of liquid beneath the patient.
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Urine secretions must be drained via catheter.
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Areas with strong secretion of perspiration, extremities lying close to the body or areas
where skin touches skin must be kept dry by sheet covers.
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Anesthesia must be adjusted so that strong secretion of perspiration will be avoided.
Liquids of any kind must not be sprayed, spilled or used in ample quantities in order to
avoid its collection underneath the patient.
4.2. Attachment of patient electrode
This RF surgery equipment is provided with a patient electrode monitoring, which
checks the correct attachment of the patient electrode by measuring the transfer
resistance between the patient electrode and the patient tissue. For this
measurement the use of a split patient electrode is necessary. Although the use of an
undivided patient electrode is possible the manufacturer does not recommend it.
In order to apply the patient electrode carefully and safely to the patient the following shall be
observed:
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If an undivided patient electrode is used the monitoring circuit only checks the
connection between patient electrode and equipment. However no monitoring takes
place if the patient electrode is connected to the equipment but not attached to the
patient. It is the responsibility of the OR staff to check the reliable attachment of the
electrode to the patient.
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The patient electrode must be applied to the patient with its full surface in order to
achieve an even contact. Resting on bone projections must be avoided.
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Furthermore any metal parts inside the body (i.e., bone-nail, endo-prosthesis, bone
plates, screws, etc.) must be considered as they may influence the current supply.
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All external metal parts like rings, necklaces, bracelets, body piercing jewelry, etc. must
be removed.
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The patient electrode must be attached so that the current paths between active and
patient electrode are as short as possible and directed alongside or diagonal to the
