Martin maxium & maxium Beamer Operating Instructions
V 2.0
59
9 Safety
Instructions
9.1 General
Information
Electrosurgical units are high-frequency generators that produce high voltages and high currents
when being used for their intended purposes. To avoid any hazards to the patient, the operating
staff or other persons, this surgical technique should be used carefully and all operating and safety
instructions must be strictly observed.
9.2
Placing the Patient Correctly
The patient must be well insulated from grounded metal parts. It is particularly important to ensure
that the patient’s extremities cannot come in contact with metal parts.
If the patient is placed on an operating table, then he/she must be well insulated against high fre-
quencies by using enough intermediate layers (covering towels). As moisture, sweat or the like is
likely to accumulate during the operation, a watertight sheet must be used to maintain the insulat-
ing properties of the intermediate layers and prevent them from getting wet or soaked.
Under any circumstances, make sure that no liquids collect under the patient. If necessary, use
additional dry towels as intermediate layers.
All areas where sweat tends to accumulate – e.g. where the extremities touch the body
or there is skin-to-skin contact – should be kept dry by placing enough covering towels
between them (arm/trunk, legs, breasts).
These insulation requirements must be observed also when the patient needs to be
repositioned during the operation.
9.3
Attaching the Neutral Electrode
Electrodes and cables must be attached carefully. To prevent any hazards, be sure you
•
attach the neutral electrode on the patient's body as close to the operating site as possible,
establishing full contact between the electrode surface and the patient’s skin;
•
see to it that the neutral electrode remains fully attached as long as the high-frequency current
is being used. When attaching the neutral electrode to extremities, do not impede the blood
flow;
•
lay out the connecting cables of the HF electrodes without loops and in such a way that they
neither touch the patient nor other cables. This applies especially to the neutral electrode. Use
only the cables provided by the manufacturer of the unit;
•
keep the current paths in the patient’s body as short as possible, making sure that the current
flows through the body longitudinally or diagonally but not transversely, especially not in the
thorax. Metal parts that may be in or on the body are to be removed (where possible) or must
be insulated or carefully watched for possible hazards.
Whenever the patient is repositioned, be sure to check the electrodes for proper application and
the electrode leads for correct routing.
