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Safe use of neutral electrodes
6 Safe use of neutral electrodes
Only for monopolar treatments, neutral electrodes are required to return the HF current
from the active electrode of the HF instrument back to the electrosurgical generator. In
bipolar electrosurgery both electrodes, the active and the return electrode, are implemented
within the HF instrument. More explanations are described in the section “2.3.6 Monopolar
electrosurgery” on page 15 of the safety chapter.
6.1 Split type and non‑split type neutral electrodes and CQM
Contact quality monitoring (CQM) for split type neutral electrodes
If a split type neutral electrode is connected to the electrosurgical generator, CQM is able to
detect 3 types of insufciencies regarding the neutral electrode:
‒ The neutral electrode is detaching from the patient.
‒ The neutral electrode is disconnected, e.g. the plug is disconnected or the cable is torn
from the neutral electrode.
‒ Short circuit of the neutral electrode, e.g. due to perspiration under the neutral electrode.
If one of these circumstances arises, then the following happens automatically:
‒ Activation of the electrosurgical generator stops and is prevented.
‒ A correspondent error message is displayed.
‒ An alarm tone sounds.
‒ The CQM indicator turns to red.
The correspondent error message instructs the user what to do to continue with the
procedure.
No contact quality monitoring for non‑split type neutral electrodes
When using non-split type neutral electrodes, then the contact quality monitor does not
work. If the non-split type neutral electrode detaches from the patient, then no warning
signal sounds. This can result in burns to the patient.
When connecting a non-split type neutral electrode, the following message box is displayed
on the touchscreen:
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