Notes on Safety in the Medical Specialties • 3
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CHAPTER 3
Notes on Safety in the Medical Specialties
Argon Plasma Coagulation in Flexible Endoscopy
WARNING! For Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) use only endoscopes
whose electric insulation is absolutely reliable both exteriorly and in the
instrument channel. Defective or inadequate insulation can cause patient burns.
The APC 300 may only be used by persons who have been given training in
the correct use of the equipment or the combination of appliances (APC 300-
electrosurgical equipment) which has taken these operating instructions into
consideration.
Please read the operating instructions for the electrosurgical equipment and
CHAPTERS 4 and 8 of this handbook
à
.
Check the function of the APC probe as follows before inserting it into the
working channel of an endoscope:
1. Hold the tip of the APC probe approx. 3-5 mm from a non-insulated, bare
metal object. This must not have any electrically conductive contact with
the patient, other people or electrical appliances.
2. Activate the APC unit.
3. Note whether argon plasma develops between the probe tip and the metal
object.
WARNING! Do not touch the tip with bare fingers when it is activated!
Electric insulation of the
endoscope
Training
1. Installation, connection and
actuation configuration
2. Preoperative Test of APC probe
function
Figure 1: Test of APC Probe Function
3 - 5 mm
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