ECI Electro-caps must be cleaned frequently for sanitary reasons. In addition, if all the gel is not washed from the electro-cap, the material will lose its elasticity; the life of the electro-cap will be dramatically shortened. USE ONLY IVORY OR PALMOLIVE LIQUID DETERGENT FOR WASHING ECI ELECTRO-CAPS! Other soaps and detergents, especially those common in hospitals, leave a residual film on the electrode metal. After a few washings the soap film builds up and coats the electrode. Excessively high electrode impedances and overwhelming electrode artifacts result.
The dye from the electro-cap material may bleed during the first few washings. Do not wash different colored electro-caps together. Before washing an electro-cap, always unsnap and remove the caps straps.
The cap straps are washed separately because the strap material is thick, drying may require several hours. It is advisable, however, to wash the straps thoroughly with a brush and soapy water once a week.
Step-by-step cap washing
- Unsnap and remove the straps; place to one side.
- Fill sink with lukewarm tap water.
- Add a small amount of Ivory liquid detergent to the water
- Submerge ONLY the cap portion. DO NOT allow the connector to get wet. Let the cap sit in the water for a few minutes.
- Clean the gel from the electrode mounts with an “orange stick” or cotton swab. Another method is to alternate each mount, in turn, under rapidly running water. The water pressure will force most of the softened gel from the mounts.
- Rinse electro-cap thoroughly.
- Blot the cap gently in a terry cloth towel or hang it up to dry. IMPORTANT: When drying the electro-cap, hang it so the cap portion is lower than the connector. IF the connector is lower than the cap, water will run down the mulit-colored cable into the connector and corrode the terminals resulting in artifact.
- When the cap is dry, replace the straps.
- Once a month, scrape the metal electrodes disks thoroughly with an orange stick or wooden end of a cotton swab. Oxide gradually builds up on the electrode disks and be periodically removed.
Most of the time electro-caps will dry in about one hour. If there is not enough time for the cap to air dry between patients, blots the cap with a terry cloth towel. The cap may feel damp to the touch but, will be sufficiently dry for immediate use. A small hair dryer may also be used to quickly dry the electro-cap however, use only a WARM setting. The HIGH or HOT settings will weaken the elastic material; the cap life will be severely shortened.