APC® 3

• The foundation of the APC^® is rooted in Erbe's commitment in evidence based medicine that originates from scientific rigor and engineering prowess. 
• Argon plasma coagulation is a monopolar electrosurgical modality that delivers electrosurgical energy to target tissue via conductive, ionized argon plasma
• APC^® is used for the coagulation of diffuse bleeding and the ablation of tissue through vaporization and shrinkage
• Non-contact modality that can be applied in axial, lateral or radial fashion, depending on the probe architecture and indication
  • No adhesion to target tissue coagulum can lower the incidence of re-bleeds
  • Facilitates expanded utility around challenging anatomy
  • May allow coagulation and ablation across larger surfaces
  • Effective on high impedance tissue
• Rapid superficial coagulation for uniform hemostasis and ablation
• Ablative volume reduction (e.g., large airway mass, anastomotic diameter) can be achieved via higher settings and longer activation times as deemed appropriate
• Advantages of argon-assisted electrosurgery
  • Minimum carbonization and smoke plume development provides an improved view of the operating field and minimizes pollution through unpleasant odo
  • Variable argon flow for various applications

• The VIO^® 3 and APC^® 3 workstation system was engineered and designed with the optimal application of both argon plasma coagulation (APC^®) and argon-assisted electrosurgery in mind.
• All APC^® and electrosurgery modes are selected and activated via the VIO^® display.
• Space-efficient design and small footprint reduces space requirements and provides enhanced portability
• VIO^® 3 stepGUIDE interface with preprogrammed experienced starting settings for APC^® applications
• Plug and operate: Digital instrument recognition technology automatically configures the system to preprogrammed settings and instrument-specific parameters. Insert the instrument and start the APC^® application immediately
• ReMode^® function: Allows users to toggle between up to 6 subprograms directly from the procedural field without changing instruments

The VIO^® 3/APC^® 3 offers three improved argon plasma coagulation modes with new optimized adjustment parameters to cover a unique range of target tissue effects – from superficial coagulation to substantial mass reduction (debulking):

• forcedAPC^®: Effective, fast, “standard” argon plasma coagulation with ignition assistance for reliable and reproducible plasma ignition in the ever-changing environment of resistance variables
• preciseAPC^®: Used for coagulation and ablation, largely independent of the distance between the probe and tissue, particularly in the low energy range and for thermosensitive areas, thin-walled structures, to facilitate coagulation with minimal thermal spread
• pulsedAPC^®: Delivers pulses of plasma in either slow or fast pulses, resulting in controlled and generally more superficial tissue effect; generally used for hemostasis of diffuse areas of bleeding, devitalization, and reduction of tissue with emphasis on controlled power output (e.g. thermosensitive areas, thin-walled structures); While more superficial in nature, long activation periods, and/or higher effect settings can cause significant and deep ablation of tissue