Valleylab Force EZ - C Series Service Manual

Service Manual

Valleylab Force EZ™-C Series
Electrosurgical Generator

with Instant Response™ Technology

Preface

This manual and the equipment it describes are for use only by qualified medical
professionals trained in the particular technique and surgical procedure to be
performed. It is intended as a guide for servicing the Valleylab Force EZ™-C
Series Electrosurgical Generator only.

Caution

Federal (USA) law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.

Equipment covered in this manual:

Force EZ™-C Series Electrosurgical Generator with Instant Response™ T echnology
100–120 V ~ (110 V ~ nominal), 220–240 V ~ (230 V ~ nominal) –

(user selectable)
The Service Manual, For ce EZ™-C Series Electr osurgical Generator with Instant

Response™ Technology, consists of two parts—the text (part 1 of 2) and a
Schematics Supplement (part 2 of 2), which contains the schematics.

Valleylab Part Number: 1015435 (part 1 of 2)
Effective Date: November 2008
Trademark acknowledgements:

Force FX™. Force EZ™, Force Argon™, Force GSU™, SurgiStat™, REM™,
EDGE™, AccuVac™, PolyHesive™, and Instant Response™ are trademarks of
Valleylab.

Patent Information:

Protected by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,599,344; and 5,628,745.

Manufactured by

Valleylab
a division of Tyco Healthcare Group LP
Boulder, Colorado 80301-3299 USA

European Representative:

Tyco Healthcare UK Ltd.
Gosport, PO13 0AS, UK

For information call:

1-303-530-2300

Made in USA
Printed in USA
©2008 Valleylab All rights reserved.

ii Force EZ-C Series Service Manual

Conventions Used in this Guide

Warning

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, could result in
death or serious injury.

Caution

Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may result in minor or
moderate injury.

Important

Indicates an operating tip or
maintenance suggestion.

Notice

Indicates a hazard which may result in product damage.

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual iii

Warranty

Valleylab, a division of Tyco Healthcare Group LP, warrants each product
manufactured by it to be free from defects in material and workmanship under
normal use and service for the period(s) set forth below. Valleylab’s obligation
under this warranty is limited to the repair or replacement, at its sole option, of
any product, or part thereof, which has been returned to it or its Distributor within
the applicable time period shown below after delivery of the product to the
original purchaser, and which examination discloses, to Valleylab’s satisfaction,
that the product is defective. This warranty does not apply to any product, or part
thereof, which has been repaired or altered outside Valleylab’s factory in a way so
as, in Valleylab’s judgment, to affect its stability or reliability, or which has been
subjected to misuse, neglect, or accident.

The warranty periods for Valleylab products are as follows:

ForceTriad™ Energy Platform One year from date of shipment

Electrosurgical Generators One year from date of shipment

RFG-3C

LigaSure™ Vessel Sealing System One year from date of shipment

LigaSure™ Reusable Instruments One year from date of shipment

Mounting Fixtures (all models) One year from date of shipment

Footswitches (all models) One year from date of shipment

Force Argon

OptiMumm

LigaSure
Items

Sterile Single Use Items Sterility only as stated on packaging

Patient Return Electrodes Shelf life only as stated on packaging

™ Plus Lesion Generator One year from date of shipment

™ Units One year from date of shipment

™ Smoke Evacuator Two years from date of shipment

™ Sterile Single Use

Sterility only as stated on packaging

This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, including
without limitation, the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular
purpose, and of all other obligations or liabilities on the part of Valleylab.
Valleylab neither assumes nor authorizes any other person to assume for it any
other liability in connection with the sale or use of any of Valleylab’s products.

Notwithstanding any other provision herein or in any other document or
communication, Valleylab’s liability with respect to this agreement and products
sold hereunder shall be limited to the aggregate purchase price for the goods sold
by Valleylab to the customer. There are no warranties which extend beyond the
terms hereof. Valleylab disclaims any liability hereunder or elsewhere in
connection with the sale of this product, for indirect or consequential damages.

iv Force EZ-C Series Service Manual

This warranty and the rights and obligations hereunder shall be construed under
and governed by the laws of the State of Colorado, USA. The sole forum for
resolving disputes arising under or relating in any way to this warranty is the
District Court of the County of Boulder, State of Colorado, USA.

Valleylab, its dealers, and representatives reserve the right to make changes in
equipment built and/or sold by them at any time without incurring any obligation
to make the same or similar changes on equipment previously built and/or sold by
them.

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual v

vi Force EZ-C Series Service Manual

Table of Contents

Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

Conventions Used in this Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii

Section 1. Service Personnel Safety

Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Warnings, Cautions, and Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2

Fire/Explosion Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3

Electric Shock Hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4

Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5

Section 2. Introduction

General Description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

List of Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2

Instant Response Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Bipolar Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Monopolar Cut and Coag Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Cut Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Coag Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

REM Contact Quality Monitoring System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4

How the REM System Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Electrodes Without the REM Safety Feature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

Low (Desiccate) Coag Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5

High (Fulgurate) Coag Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Recall of Most Recently Used Modes and Power Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Default Coag Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Original Default Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6

Section 3. Controls, Indicators, and Receptacles

Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2

Rear Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6

Option Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8

Section 4. Technical Specifications

Performance Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual vii

Dimensions and Weight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Operating Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2

Transport and Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Duty Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Internal Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3

Audio Volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

REM Contact Quality Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Serial Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

RF Activation Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Input Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6

Low Frequency (50-60 Hz) Leakage Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

High Frequency (RF) Leakage Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7

Standards and IEC Classifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

Class I Equipment (IEC 60601-1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8

Liquid Spillage (IEC 60601-2-2 Clause 44.3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Electromagnetic Interference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Electromagnetic Compatibility (IEC 60601-1-2 and IEC 60601-2-2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Voltage Transients (Emergency Generator Mains Transfer). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9

Output Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

Available Power Settings in Watts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14

Maximum Output for Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15

Output Waveforms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16

Output Power vs. Resistance Graphs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17

Section 5. Principles of Operation

Functional Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Instant Response Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

REM Contact Quality Monitoring System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3

Control Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-4

Microcontrollers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Main Microcontroller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-5

Feedback Microcontroller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-6

Shared RAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Real-Time Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

I/0 Expansion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Keyboard Interface and Activation Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7

Power Supply Supervisor Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

A/D and D/A Conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

Waveform Generation (T_ON ASIC). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8

T_ON Average Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

Audio Alarm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

Serial Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9

Dosage Error Algorithm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-10

viii Force EZ-C Series Service Manual

Instant Response Algorithm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11

Display Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

Bipolar, Cut, and Coag Power Setting Encoders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-12

RF Indicator Lamps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

LED and Seven-Segment Display Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-13

Mode Selection Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-14

REM Switch Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15

Front Panel Footswitch Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-15

Footswitch Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

Power Supply/RF Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16

Power Supply/RF Board Interfaces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17

High Voltage Power Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17

Low Voltage Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20

RF Output Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21

Spark Control Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24

RF Leakage Sensing and Reduction Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25

REM Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25

IsoBloc Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-25

Audio Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-26

Footswitch Decode Circuit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28

Temperature Sense Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-28

Section 6. Setup, Tests, and Adjustments

Setting Up the Generator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2

Connections for Bipolar Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4

Setting the Bipolar Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Connections for Monopolar Surgery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5

Set the Cut and Coag Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Using Two Generators Simultaneously. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

Setting Up the Special Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8

Changing the Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10

Changing the Power Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10

Activating the Surgical Instrument. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-11

Periodic Safety Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12

Recommended Test Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12

Inspecting the Generator and Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-13

Inspecting the Internal Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14

Testing the Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-15

Verifying REM Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16

Confirming Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16

Checking the Monopolar Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18

Checking Low Frequency Leakage Curren t an d Gr ou n d Resistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual ix

Checking High Frequency Leakage Curr en t and Gr ou n d Resistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-21

Calibrating the Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-22

Preparing for Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-24

Entering Calibration Mode. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-24

Exiting Calibration Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-25

Calibration Step 1 – Verify the Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator Data . . . . . . . . . . 6-25

Calibration Step 2 – Adjust the Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26

Calibration Step 3 – Adjust the Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-27

Calibration Step 4 – Check the REM Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-28

Calibration Step 5 – Check and Adjust the Current Sense Gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-29

Calibration Step 6 – Check and Adjust the Voltage Sense Gain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-31

Calibration Step 7 – Check and Adjust the Reactance Gain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-33

Calibration Step 8 – Check and Adjust the ECON Factor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-35

Section 7. Troubleshooting

Inspecting the Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2

Correcting Malfunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3

Responding to System Alarms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-11

Correcting Integrated Circuit (IC) Malfunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22

Correcting T_ON ASIC Malfunctions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-22

Correcting Battery-Backed RAM Malfunctions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-24

Section 8. Replacement Procedures

Interconnect Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3

Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3

Control Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4

Display Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5

Remove the Display Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5

Install the Display Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6

Display Board Seven-Segment LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7

Footswitch Board Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-7

Front Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8

Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8

Remove the Front Panel Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8

Remove and Reinstall the Front Panel Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9

Install the Front Panel Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10

x Force EZ-C Series Service Manual

Front Panel Footswitch Receptacle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10

Front Panel Knob. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11

Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11

Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11

Front Panel Power Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-12

Front Panel REM Lever . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13

Fuses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13

Replacing Fuses in the Fuse Drawer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13

Replacing the Fuse on the Low Voltage Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14

Replacing the Fuse on the Power Supply/RF Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15

Handle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16

Left Front Heat Sink Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17

Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17

Remove the Left Front Heat Sink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17

Replace the Left Front Heat Sink Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18

Install the Left Front Heat Sink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18

Left Rear Heat Sink Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19

Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19

Remove the Left Rear Heat Sink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19

Replace the Left Rear Heat Sink Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-20

Install the Left Rear Heat Sink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-21

Right Heat Sink Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-21

Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-21

Remove the Right Heat Sink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-21

Replace the Right Heat Sink Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-22

Install the Right Heat Sink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-23

Low Voltage Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-24

Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-24

Remove the Low Voltage Power Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-24

Install the Low Voltage Power Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-25

Power Entry Module. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26

Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26

Remove the Power Entry Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26

Install the Power Entry Module . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-27

Power Supply/RF Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-28

Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-28

Remove the Power Supply/RF Board and Heat Sinks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-28

Install the Power Supply/RF Board and Heat Sinks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-29

Section 9. Repair Policy and Procedures

Responsibility of the Manufacturer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2

Returning the Generator for Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-2

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual xi

Returning Circuit Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-3

Service Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-4

Section 10. Service Parts

Ordering Replacement Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-2

Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-3

Generator Assembly Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-5

Control Board Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-7

Footswitch Board Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-8

Power Supply/RF Board Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-9

xii Force EZ-C Series Service Manual

List of Figures

Figure 3-1. The front panel 3-2
Figure 3-2. The front panel - continued 3-4
Figure 3-3. Controls and receptacles on the rear panel 3-6
Figure 3-4. The option panel on the generator rear panel with the plate removed to show the serial and RF activation

ports 3-8
Figure 4-1. Standard Bipolar mode — load resistance vs. output power 4-17
Figure 4-2. Pure mode — load resistance vs. output power 4-18
Figure 4-3. Blend mode — load resistance vs. output power 4-18
Figure 4-4. Low 1 (Desiccate) mode — load resistance vs. output power 4-19
Figure 4-5. Low 2 (Desiccate) mode — load resistance vs. output power 4-19
Figure 4-6. Low 3 (Desiccate) mode — load resistance vs. output power 4-20
Figure 4-7. High 1 (Fulgurate) mode — load resistance vs. output power 4-20
Figure 4-8. High 2 (Fulgurate) mode — load resistance vs. output power 4-21
Figure 4-9. Standard Bipolar mode @ 100 ohms — generator setting vs. output power 4-22
Figure 4-10. Standard Bipolar mode — peak voltage vs. output power 4-22
Figure 4-11. Pure mode @ 300 ohms — generator setting vs. output power 4-23
Figure 4-12. Pure mode — peak voltage vs. output power 4-23
Figure 4-13. Blend mode @ 300 ohms — generator setting vs. output power 4-24
Figure 4-14. Blend mode — peak voltage vs. output power 4-24
Figure 4-15. Low 1 (Desiccate) mode @ 500 ohms — generator setting vs. output power 4-25
Figure 4-16. Low 1 (Desiccate) mode — peak voltage vs. output power 4-25
Figure 4-17. Low 2 (Desiccate) mode @ 300 ohms— generator setting vs. output power 4-26
Figure 4-18. Low 2 (Desiccate) mode — peak voltage vs. output power 4-26
Figure 4-19. Low 3 (Desiccate) mode @ 300 ohms— generator setting vs. output power 4-27
Figure 4-20. Low 3 (Desiccate) mode — peak voltage vs. output power 4-27
Figure 4-21. High 1 (Fulgurate) mode @ 500 ohms— generator setting vs. output power
Figure 4-22. High 1 (Fulgurate) mode — peak voltage vs. output power 4-28
Figure 4-23. High 2 (Fulgurate) mode @ 500 ohms— generator setting vs. output power 4-29
Figure 4-24. High 2 (Fulgurate) mode — peak voltage vs. output power 4-29
Figure 5-1. A block diagram of the Force EZ-C Series generator 5-2
Figure 6-1. Bipolar connections (footswitch activation from the Bipolar Footswitch receptacle on the rear panel) 6-4
Figure 6-2. Bipolar connections (footswitch activation from the Footswitch receptacle on the front panel) 6-4
Figure 6-3. Bipolar connection (handswitching instrument) 6-5
Figure 6-4. Monopolar connections (handswitching instrument) 6-6
Figure 6-5. Monopolar connections (footswitch activation from the Monopolar Footswitch receptacle on the rear

panel) 6-6
Figure 6-6. Monopolar connections (footswitch activation from the Footswitch receptacle on the front panel) 6-7
Figure 6-7. The leakage current test circuit 6-20
Figure 8-1. Electric cable connections 8-2
Figure 8-2. Power switch and cable connections 8-12

4-28

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual xiii

Figure 8-3. Left front heat sink components 8-18
Figure 8-4. Left rear heat sink components 8-20
Figure 8-5. Right heat sink components 8-22
Figure 8-6. Connections to the low voltage power supply 8-25
Figure 8-7. Cable connections to the power entry module 8-27
Figure 10-1. Exploded view of Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator parts 10-3
Figure 10-2. Top view of Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator parts, after assembly 10-4

xiv Force EZ-C Seri es Service Manual

1Service Personnel Safety

Valleylab stresses safety in the use and servicing of its
electrosurgical equipment. This section presents the following:

SECTION

1

• Safety information

• Warnings, Cautions, and Notices
Refer to the Preface, Conventions, for further information on

Warnings, Cautions, and Notices.

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual 1-1

Safety Information

Safety Information

The safe and effective servicing of electrosurgical equipment depends to a large
degree on factors solely under the control of the service person. There is no
substitute for a properly trained and vigilant service staff.

Warnings, Cautions, and Notices

Before servicing the generator, it is important that you read, understand, and
follow the instructions supplied with it and with any other equipment used to
install, test, adjust, or repair the generator.

General

Warning

Patient Safety – Use the generator only if it has completed the self-test as
described. Otherwise, inaccurate power outputs may result.

The instrument receptacles on this generator are designed to accept only one
instrument at a time. Do not attempt to connect more than one instrument at a
time into a given receptacle. Doing so will cause simultaneous activation of the
instruments.

Caution

Do not stack equipment on top of the generator or place the generator on top of
electrical equipment (except a Force Argon Unit). These configurations are
unstable and/or do not allow adequate cooling.

Provide as much distance as possible between the electrosurgical generator and
other electronic equipment (such as monitors). An activated electrosurgical
generator may cause interference with them.

Do not turn the activation tone down to an inaudible level. The activation tone
alerts the surgical team when an accessory is active.

Notice

If required by local codes, connect the generator to the hospital equalization
connector with an equipotential cable.

To avoid product damage, connect the power cord to a wall receptacle having the
correct voltage.

1-2 Force EZ-C Service Manual

Warnings, Cautions, and Notices

Active Accessories

Caution

Connect accessories to the proper receptacle type. In particular, connect bipolar
accessories to the Bipolar Instrument receptacle only. Improper connection may
result in inadvertent generator activation or a REM Contact Quality Monitor
alarm.

Patient Return Electrodes

Warning

Using a patient return electrode without the REM safety feature will not activate
the Valleylab REM Contact Quality Monitoring System.

Fire/Explosion Hazards

Warning

Danger: Explosion Hazard –þDo not install the generator in the presence of

flammable anesthetics, gases, liquids, or objects.
Fire Hazard – Do not place active accessories near or in contact with flammable

materials (such as gauze or surgical drapes). Electrosurgical accessories that
are activated or hot from use can cause a fire. Use a holster to hold
electrosurgical accessories safely away from patients, surgical team, and
flammable materials.

Service Personnel Safety

Fire Hazard – Do not use extension cords.
Fire Hazard – For continued protection against fire hazard, replace fuses only

with fuses of the same type and rating as the original fuse.

Force EZ-C Service Manual 1-3

Warnings, Cautions, and Notices

Electric Shock Hazards

Warning

Connect the generator power cord to a properly grounded receptacle. Do not use
power plug adapters.

Do not connect a wet power cord to the generator or to the wall receptacle.
To allow stored energy to dissipate after power is disconnected, wait at least five

minutes before replacing parts.
Always turn off and unplug the generator before cleaning.
Do not touch any exposed wiring or conductive surfaces while the generator is

disassembled and energized. Never wear a grounding strap when working on an
energized generator.

When taking measurements or troubleshooting the generator, take appropriate
precautions, such as using isolated tools and equipment, using the “one hand
rule,” etc.

Potentially lethal AC and DC voltages are present in the AC line circuitry, high
voltage DC circuitry, and associated mounting and heat sink hardware described
in this manual. They are not isolated from the AC line. Take appropriate
precautions when testing and troubleshooting this area of the generator.

High frequency, high voltage signals that can cause severe burns are present in
the RF output stage and in the associated mounting and heat sink hardware
described in this manual. Take appropriate precautions when testing and
troubleshooting this area of the generator.

Servicing

Caution

Read all warnings, cautions, and instructions provided with this generator before
servicing.

The generator contains electrostatic-sensitive components. When repairing the
generator, work at a static-control workstation. Wear a grounding strap when
handling electrostatic-sensitive components, except when working on an
energized generator. Handle circuit boards by their nonconductive edges. Use an
antistatic container for transport of electrostatic-sensitive components and circuit
boards.

Notice

After installing a new low voltage power supply, verify that the voltages are
correct.

1-4 Force EZ-C Service Manual

Warnings, Cautions, and Notices

Calibration

Caution

To avoid inadvertent coupling and/or shunting of RF currents around the resistor
elements, keep the resistors at least 10.2 cm (4 in.) away from any metal surface
including tabletops and other resistors. This is especially true if several resistors
are connected in series or parallel to obtain a specified value. Do not allow the
resistor bodies to touch each other.

Notice

After completing any calibration step, proceed to the next step to save the values
from the completed calibration step.

Do not activate the generator with any load resistor higher than 10 ohms while
calibrating the current sense gain. Otherwise, product damage will result.

Do not activate the generator with any load resistor lower than 750 ohms while
calibrating the voltage sense gain for bipolar output. Otherwise, product damage
will result.

Do not activate the generator with any load resistor lower than 3000 ohms while
calibrating the voltage sense gain for the pure cut mode. Otherwise, product
damage will result.

Service Personnel Safety

Do not activate the generator with any load resistor lower than 2000 ohms while
calibrating the voltage sense gain for the blend mode. Otherwise, product
damage will result.

After calibration, the generator will be ready to use only after you initiate the
internal self-test by turning the generator off, then on.

Calibrate the generator after you install a new battery. All data stored in internal
memory, including calibration constants, is lost when the battery is replaced.

Calibrate the generator after you install a new Control board. Otherwise it uses
default calibration values.

Calibrate the generator after you install a new heat sink or replace components
on the heat sink. Component differences may affect output waveforms.

Calibrate the generator after you install a new Power Supply/RF board.
Component differences may affect output waveforms.

Cleaning

Notice

Do not clean the generator with abrasive cleaning or disinfectant compounds,
solvents, or other materials that could scratch the panels or damage the
generator.

Force EZ-C Service Manual 1-5

1-6 Force EZ-C Service Manual

2Introduction

This manual provides instructions for servicing the Valleylab Force
EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator. This section introduces the
features and components of the generator.

SECTION

2

Additional information about using the generator is available in the
Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator with Instant
Response Technology User’s Guide.

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual 2-1

General Description

General Description

The Valleylab Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator is an isolated output
electrosurgical generator that provides the power for cutting, desiccating, and
fulgurating tissue during electrosurgery . The generator is s pecifically designed for
use in bipolar or monopolar electrosurgery.

It includes the following features:

• Instant Response Technology

• Standard bipolar mode

• Two monopolar cut modes: pure and blend

• Two monopolar coag modes: low (desiccate) and high (fulgurate)

• The Valleyl ab REM Contact Quality Monitoring System, which protects
patients against burns at the patient return electrode site

• User selectable coag settings

• User selectable default settings

• Adjustable activation tone volume

• Force GSU and Force Argon system compatibility

List of Components

The Valleylab Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator is a self-contained
unit. It consists of a main enclosure (cover and base) and power cord. It includes
the following components:

• Front panel – the power switch ; controls for setting the modes and output
power; a footswitch receptacle and button for selecting bipolar or accessory
output; receptacles for connecting electrosurgical accessories, and indicators
that alert you to the selected modes and the patient return electrode status.

• Rear panel – the power entry module, volume control, two footswitch
receptacles, equipotential grounding lug, and option panel.

• Internal components – include the Control (microcontroller) board, Display
board, Footswitch board, Power Supply/Radio Frequency (RF) board, low
voltage power supply, and heat sinks.

A handle is located on the underside of the chassis.
For details about the interaction of the main components and circuit board

descriptions, refer to Section 5, Principles of O perati on.

2-2 Force EZ-C Series Service Manual

Instant Response Technology

The Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator automatically senses resistance
and adjusts the current and output voltage to maintain a consistent effect across
different tissue density. This adjustment is based on the selected mode, the power
setting, and the level of tissue resistance. As tissue resistance increases, the
generator outputs constant current followed by constant power followed by
constant voltage. The system controls maximum output voltage to reduce
capacitive coupling and video interference and to minimize sparking. This
technology applies to the bipolar mode, the cut modes, and the low 2 and low 3
coag settings. It does not apply to the low 1, high 1, and high 2 coag settings.

Bipolar Modes

Instant Response Technology

The Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator provides a standard bipolar
mode usable for most bipolar applications.

Delicate tissue requires less heat to desiccate quickly . The generator provides low
voltage, continuous current for faster desiccation without sparking.

The possibility of sparking increases as desiccated tissue dries and becomes more
resistant. The generator protects against sparking by limiting the bipolar voltage
at relatively high levels of tissue resistance.

For details about the bipolar output characteristics, refer to Section 4, Technical
Specifications.

Monopolar Cut and Coag Modes

Cut Modes

Two cut modes – pure and blend – allow a wide range of power settings to
perform diverse surgical applications.

• Pure provides an even cut with little or no hemostasis. It offers good cutting
performance over a wide range of tissue resistance.

• Blend provides cutting ability with additional hemostasis.

Introduction

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual 2-3

REM Contact Quality Monitoring System

Coag Modes

Two coagulation modes help control the size of the area and the depth of
penetration during tissue coagulation. The low (desiccate) mode has three
settings; the high (fulgurate) mode, two settings. You can select, as default
settings, one low setting and one high setting. For a description of each setting,
refer to Special Features in this section.

• Low (desiccate) dehydrates and destroys tissue without sparking or cutting.

Because the active electrode directly touches the tissue, more current reaches
the patient. Desiccation places the greatest demand on the patient return
electrode.

• High (fulgurate) coagulates tissue by sparking from the active electrode,

through air, to the patient tissue. In this mode, you have less control over
sparking, thus it is best suited for coagulation of larger areas. Accidental
sparking to adjacent areas can occur as tissue at the surgical site dries and
becomes more resistant to current flow.

For details about the monopolar output characteristics, re fer to
Specifications.

REM Contact Quality Monitoring System

During monopolar electrosurgery, a patient return electrode is always required to
safely recover the current that flows through the patient’s body and return it to the
generator. A reduction in surface area contact or poor conductivity between the
patient and the return electrode can cause the current to become concentrated,
potentially resulting in burns at the return electrode site.

The Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical 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. Use of any return
electrode other than a REM patient return electrode may compromise the REM
safety feature. This could result in a patient burn.

Section 4, Technical

2-4 Force EZ-C Series Service Manual

Special Features

How the REM System Works

The REM system continuously measures the 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 between the patient and the patient return electrode and
lowering the baseline resistance if the contact resistance drops.

A REM alarm sounds and the generator stops producing output power when
either of the following 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).

Electrodes Without the REM Safety Feature

Warning

Using a patient return electrode without the REM safety feature will not activate
the Valleylab REM Contact Quality Monitoring System.

Introduction

Special Features

When you use a patient return electrode that does not have the REM safety
feature, the REM system does not monitor the patient contact area as previously
described. The REM system monitors only the pin-to-pin resistance at the
connector and can detect broken wires or connectors in the return electrode cord.

Five special features allow customizing the Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical
Generator. You can access these features only in the setup mode. For details on
selecting these features, refer to Setting Up the Special Features in Chapter 4 of
the User’s Guide.

Low (Desiccate) Coag Settings

The low (desiccate) coag mode provides three settings with subtle differences in
output characteristics:

• Low 1 is appropriate for the majority of surgical procedures. It provides tissue
desiccation with a minimal tendency to cut or spark.

• Low 2 produces tissue desiccation and further reduces the chance of cutting or
sparking by using the lowest possible voltage (ð 200 V

• Low 3 uses a slightly higher voltage (ð 300 V
offers comparable desiccation.

) than the low 2 setting, but

rms

rms

).

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual 2-5

Special Features

Important

The default coag mode featur e
is available only when the
most recently used modes and
power settings feature is
turned off.

High (Fulgurate) Coag Settings

The high (fulgurate) coag mode provides two settings:

• High 1 produces coagulation of smaller areas without touching the electrode

tip to the tissue.

• High 2 produces coagulation of larger areas without touching the electrode to

the tissue.

Recall of Most Recently Used Modes and Power Settings

When you activate this feature, the generator will, when turned on, revert to the
most recently used modes and power settings.

Default Coag Mode

You can select either low (desiccate) or high (fulgurate) as the default coag mode
for the Force EZ-C Series Electrosurgical Generator. Each time you turn on the
generator, it automatically selects the default coag mode.

Original Default Settings

This feature resets the generator to the original default setting for each mode,
power setting, and special feature. The next time you turn on the generator, it
automatically selects the original default settings.

Mode or Feature Original Default Setting

Monopolar Pure

Coag High (fulgurate)

Low (desiccate) coag setting 1 (low 1)

High (fulgurate) coag setting 2 (high 2)

Last used modes and power settings 1 (on)

2-6 Force EZ-C Series Service Manual

3Controls, Indicators,

and Receptacles

This section describes the front and rear panels, including all
controls, indicators, and receptacles.

SECTION

3

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual 3-1

Front Panel

Front Panel

A

B

C

Figure 3-1.

The front panel

E

F

A.

Bipolar Indicator

D

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

When you activate the generator in bipolar mode, this bar illuminates blue and
an activation tone sounds.

N

B. Bipolar Display

Shows the power setting, in watts, for bipolar output.

C. Bipolar Power Control Knob

To increase (+) the power, turn the knob clockwise.
To decrease (–) the power, turn the knob counterclockwise.

D. Cut Indicator

When you activate the generator in cut mode, this bar illuminates yellow and
an activation tone sounds.

E. Cut Display

Shows the power setting, in watts, for cut output.

F. Cut Power Control Knob

To increase (+) the power, turn the knob clockwise.
To decrease (–) the power, turn the knob counterclockwise.

G. Pure Button

Select for an even cut with little or no hemostasis.

H. Blend Button

Select for slower cutting and additional hemostasis.

3-2 Force EZ-C Series Service Manual

Front Panel

I. Coag Indicator

When you activate the generator in coag mode, this bar illuminates blue and
an activation tone sounds.

J. Coag Display

Shows the power setting, in watts, for coag output.

K. Coag Power Control Knob

To increase (+) the power, turn the knob clockwise.
To decrease (–) the power, turn the knob counterclockwise.

L. Low (Desiccate) Button

Select to desiccate the area of tissue that is in direct contact with the active
electrode.

M. High (Fulgurate) Button

Select to fulgurate an area of tissue with a spray of sparks.

N. REM Alarm Indicator

This indicator illuminates red until you properly apply a REM patient return
electrode to the patient and connect it to the generator. Then, the indicator
illuminates green. (When you connect an electrode without the REM safety
feature, the indicator light does not illuminate.)

If the REM system senses an alarm condition, the indicator flashes red until
you correct the alarm condition – then the indicator illuminates green. (If you
are using a return electrode without the REM safety feature, the red indicator
is extinguished when you correct the alarm condition.)

Controls, Indicators,

and Receptacles

Force EZ-C Series Service Manual 3-3

Front Panel

T

Figure 3-2.

The front panel - continued

RS

O.

Patient Return Electrode Receptacle

For monopolar electrosurgery, connect a patient return electrode to this
receptacle.

P. Monopolar Instrument Receptacle

You can connect either a handswitching instrument (three-pin connector) or a
footswitching instrument (single-pin connector) to this receptacle.

T o activate a footswitching instrument, connect a monopolar footswitch to the
rear panel.

Q. Accessory Instrument Receptacle

Connect a monopolar footswitching instrument with a single-pin connector to
this receptacle.

To activate the instrument, connect a monopolar footswitch to the front panel.

OPQ

3-4 Force EZ-C Series Service Manual