Valleylab Force FX-C - REM Contact Quality Monitoring System

Functional Overview
4-4
REM Contact Quality Monitoring System
The Force FX-C generator uses the Valleylab REM Contact Quality
Monitoring System to monitor the quality of electrical contact between the
patient return electrode and the patient. The REM system is designed to
eliminate the risk of burns at the return electrode site during monopolar
electrosurgery.
When you connect a REM patient return electrode to the Patient Return
Electrode receptacle, you activate the REM system. When you activate
monopolar output, the generator connects the patient return electrode
path. If you activate bipolar output while a return electrode is connected
to
the patient, the return electrode circuit is deactivated automatically to
eliminate
the possibility of current dispersal.
The REM
system continuously measures resistance at the return electrode
site
and compares it to a standard range of safe resistance (between 5 and
135 ohms), thus eliminating intermittent false alarms that could result
from small changes in resistance. The REM system also adapts to
individual patients by measuring the initial contact resistance (baseline
resistance)
between the patient and the patient return electrode. If the
tissue impedance at the return electrode decreases during electrosurgery,
the REM system resets the baseline resistance.
REM Alarm Activation
The REM Alarm indicator flashes red, a tone sounds, and the generator
stops producing output power when either of the follovving occurs:
• The measured resistance is below 5 ohms or above 135 ohms, the limits
of
the standard range of safe resistance.
• An increase in contact resistance is greater than 40% from the initial
measurement (baseline resistance).
The REM Alarm indicator remains illuminated red until you correct the
condition causing the alarm. Then, the indicator illuminates green and RF
output is enabled.
Electrodes Without the REM Safety Feature
vVhen you use a patient return electrode that does not have the REM
safety feature,
the REM system does not monitor the patient contact area.
The REM
system can monitor only the pin-to-pin resistance at the
connector and can detect broken wires or connectors in the return
electrode cord.
The REM Alarm indicator does not illuminate green when you connect a
patient return electrode. Instead, the indicator light is extinguished. If the
generator detects a break in continuity between the electrode and the
generator, the indicator illuminates red.
Force F)(TM-C Service Manual