Medtronic Covidien Force Triad VS Covidien Valleylab FT10 Electrosurgical Unit

1. What Is An Electrosurgical Unit?
2. General Comparison Between Covidien Force Triad And Valleylab FT10
3. Introduction To The Covidien Valleylab Force Triad
4. Features Of The Valleylab Force Triad
5. Introduction To The Covidien Valleylab FT10
6. Features Of The Valleylab FT10
7. Refurbished Electrosurgical Units
8. Final Thought

 

Electrosurgery is used routinely in eye surgery to cut, coagulate, dissect, fulgurate, ablate and shrink the tissue. An electrosurgical unit (ESU) consists of a generator and a handpiece with one or more electrodes. Both the Medtronic Covidien Force Triad and Covidien Valleylab FT10 are amongst the most highly requested ESU units that offer unique features.

Do you want to learn more? Continue reading further as we highlight the comparisons between both ESU units.

WHAT IS AN ELECTROSURGICAL UNIT?

Electrosurgical units (ESU) use a high-frequency electrical current to cut tissue and control bleeding by causing coagulation. Tissue resistance to the high-density current causes a heating effect which results in tissue destruction. Electrical current is delivered and received through cables and electrodes. The electrodes may be activated by either a handpiece switch or a footswitch. The ESU may use a monopolar or a bipolar mode.

In monopolar mode, electrical current is delivered to the patient via an active cable and electrode. Current returns to the unit through a return electrode plate to disperse the return current, thus preventing focused heat which can cause burns. In bipolar mode, two electrodes, typically the tips of a pair of forceps or scissors, serve as the equivalent of the active and dispersive leads in the monopolar mode.

GENERAL COMPARISON BETWEEN COVIDIEN FORCE TRIAD AND VALLEYLAB FT10

Specifications	Covidien Force Triad	Valleylab FT10
Dimensions (HxWxD)	10 x 18 x 20 in. (25.5 x 45.8 x 50.8 cm)	7 x 14.5 x 18.2 in. (17.78 x 35.8 x 46.2 cm)
Weight	30 lbs (13.6 kg)	22.3 lbs (10.1 kg)
Display	Three touchscreens	7 in. LCD touchscreen
Mounting	ForceTriad Energy Platform cart (FT900) Universal Mounting cart (UC8009), and/or UC8010 Overshelf Operating-room boom systems Any stable, flat surface such as a table or cart top	Valleylab Universal Generator cart (VLFTCRT) Operating-room boom systems Operating-room boom systems Any stable, flat surface such as a table or cart top
Modes	Cut Modes: Pure, Blend Valleylab Mode Coag Mode: Fulgurate, Spray Bipolar Modes: Low, Standard, Macro Autobipolar LigaSure Mode	Cut Modes: Pure, Blend Valleylab Mode Coag Modes: Soft, Fulgurate, Spray Bipolar Effects: Low, Medium, High Effect LigaSure Mode Bipolar Resection Effect: Cut, Coag
Frequency	Cut: 660 Hz Valleylab Mode: 800 Hz Coag: 940 Hz Bipolar: 940 Hz LigaSure: 440 Hz	Cut: 660 Hz Valleylab Mode: 800 Hz Coag: 940 Hz Bipolar: 940 Hz LigaSure: 440 Hz
Alarm Tone	Volume (not adjustable): > 65 dBA Frequency: Reactivate/Regrasp, Check Instrument - Two Tones High = 985 Hz, Low = 780 Hz, Seal Complete = 985 Hz, Error/System Alert - Beep tone = 1421 Hz Duration: REM - Two 1/2 second tones separated by 1/2 second for each REM event	REM: 660 Hz ± 5% Regrasp/Reactivate: HIgh 784 Hz ± 5%, Low 587 Hz ± 5% Seal Cycle Complete: 988 Hz ± 5% High System Alarm: 784 Hz ± 5% High System Alarm: 784 Hz ± 5%, 1568 Hz ± 5%, 2352 Hz ± 5%, 3136 Hz ± 5% Medium System Alarm: 784 Hz ± 5%, 1568 Hz ± 5%, 2352 Hz ± 5%, 3136 Hz ± 5% Low System Alarm: 784 Hz ± 5%, 1568 Hz ± 5%, 2352 Hz ± 5%, 3136 Hz ± 5%
Return Electrode Monitor (REM)	Interrogation Frequency (80 kHz ± 10 kHz) Interrogation Current (< 100 µA) Interrogation Voltage (< 12 V RMS)	Interrogation Frequency (64-76 kHz Interrogation Current (< 100 µA) Interrogation Voltage (< 12 V RMS)
Operating Temperature	50 — 104°F (10 — 40°C)	50 — 104°F (10 — 40°C)
Transport and Storage	-22 — 145°F (-30 — +65°C)	14 — 140°F (-10 — 60°C
Battery Type	Lithium battery-backed RAM	Lithium battery (CR1620 or CR1632)
Battery Life	120 mAh	75 mAh (minimum)
Power	100-120 VAC (Maximum VA - 1056 VA) 220-240 VAC (Maximum VA - 2080 VA)	100-120 VAC (Maximum VA - 950 VA) 200-240 VAC (Maximum VA - 950 VA)

INTRODUCTION TO THE COVIDIEN VALLEYLAB FORCE TRIAD

The Covidien Valleylab Force Triad is a full-featured electrosurgical unit that gives the surgeon precisely controlled energy and improved tissue effect. With monopolar, bipolar, and vessel sealing, the Force Triad is an all-in-one unit for your operating room. The common user interface makes it easier for users to become acclimated to the system. The touch screen LCDs make selections and menus easy to use, and the backward compatibility of many common electrosurgical accessories means that you can use your current industry-standard stock.
The “Valleylab” mode provides monopolar hemostasis with dissection at a lower power setting. This results in less charring, less thermal spread, less arcing, and smoother passage through tissue. The Valleylab Force Triad ESU unit comes with a monopolar and a LigaSure footswitch.

FEATURES OF THE VALLEYLAB FORCE TRIAD

Some of the features of the Valleylab Force Triad include:

• Full features of an ESU unit with the LigaSure Vessel Sealing System
• 5 Modes: Cut, Valleylab, Coag, Bipolar, and LigaSure
• 3 LCD Touchscreens
• TissueFect™ Sensing Technology
• REM Ground Pad Contact Monitoring
• 4 Coag Modes
• Monopolar and LigaSure Footswitches included
• Compatible with conventional electrosurgical instruments and all current and new LigaSure instruments

INTRODUCTION TO THE COVIDIEN VALLEYLAB FT10

The Valleylab FT10 energy platform not only drives the full Covidien portfolio of energy-based devices, but it also makes them better than ever. Improving the performance of all devices with faster sealing and cutting times. The Valleylab FT10 energy platform delivers precise amounts of energy due to the LigaSure vessel sealing capabilities.

The Valleylab energy portfolio’s best-in-class advanced energy and electrosurgical unit are all powered by Smart generators that manage energy delivery with precision-enabling algorithms. The technology progress created with the Valleylab FT10 ESU improves all surgical applications for the entire portfolio.

FEATURES OF THE VALLEYLAB FT10

Several features of the Valleylab FT10 include:

• Delivers precise amounts of energy
• 7-inch LCD touchscreen
• Up to 50% faster sealing times
• Autobipolar has a faster activation time
• Used for monopolar and bipolar applications
• Improved monopolar performance
• Smart TissueFect tissue sensing technology reads tissue composition in real-time

REFURBISHED ELECTROSURGICAL UNITS

Soma Tech Intl offers both the Covidien Force Triad and Valleylab FT10 electrosurgical units (ESU) up to 50% below OEM prices with the same service and warranty as new ones. Soma Tech supplies medical equipment from top manufacturers. Furthermore, if you would like to request either of the two featured electrical units, you can contact us at 1-800-GET-SOMA or email us at [email protected]. One of our knowledgeable sales representatives can assist you with any further inquiries you may have.

FINAL THOUGHT

In summary, there is no doubt that both the Covidien Force Triad and Valleylab FT10 high-frequency electrosurgical units (ESU), are state-of-the-art top energy-based devices in the industry. Each with their unique capabilities, both of these units offer smart technology that reads tissue composition in real-time which offers guaranteed precision. After reviewing several features and specifications, what are your thoughts? Have you ever worked with either ESU unit before?

Feel free to leave us a comment below. If you desire to request more information regarding quotes and SOMA’s rental options, please give us a call at 1-800-GET-SOMA or send us an email at [email protected].