Correcting Malfunctions
7-6 ForceTriad User’s Guide
Interference with other devices
only when the energy platform is
activated
Metal-to-metal sparking Check all connections to the energy
platform, patient return electrode, and
instruments.
High settings used for fulguration Use lower power settings for
fulguration.
Electrically inconsistent ground wires
in the operating room
Verify that all ground wires are as
short as possible and go to the same
grounded metal.
If interference continues when the
energy platform is activated, the
monitor is responding to radiated
frequencies.
Ask your biomedical engineering
department to check with the
manufacturer of the monitor.
Some manufacturers offer RF choke
filters for use in monitor leads. The
filters reduce interference when the
energy platform is activated and
minimize the potential for an
electrosurgical burn at the site of the
monitor electrode.
Pacemaker interference Intermittent connections or metal-to-
metal sparking
Check the active and patient return
electrode cord connections.
It may be necessary to reprogram the
pacemaker.
Current traveling from active to return
electrode during monopolar
electrosurgery is passing too close to
pacemaker
Consult the pacemaker manufacturer
or hospital cardiology department for
further information when use of
electrosurgical appliances is planned
in patients with cardiac pacemakers.
Use bipolar instruments, if possible.
If you must use a monopolar
instrument, place the patient return
electrode as close as possible to the
surgical site. Make sure the current
path from the surgical site to the
patient return electrode does not pass
through the vicinity of the heart or the
site where the pacemaker is
implanted.
Always monitor patients with
pacemakers during surgery and keep
a defibrillator available.
Internal Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD)
activation
ICD is activated by energy platform Stop the procedure and contact the
ICD manufacturer for instructions.
Situation Possible Cause Solution
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