Zimmer Air Dermatome
Zimmer · Model Air Dermatome
Exceptional maneuverability with less hand fatigue Graft thicknesses up to .030 inch (0.76mm) in easily adjustable .002 inch (0.05mm) increments Safety lever to help prevent accidental activation Width plates range from one to four inches (2.5 to 10cm) in one inch increments Blades are supplied sterile and don’t require lubrication 5,000 – 6,000 cycles/minute high speed cutting action
Key tips
- ·Never defeat or bypass a return-electrode monitoring (REM) alarm to finish a case - it's a direct burn risk.
- ·Verify OR table battery backup - a table that loses power mid-procedure is a real, documented incident type.
- ·Track surgical light lamp-hours rather than waiting for failure - a sudden failure mid-case is avoidable.
Typical Failure Modes
Failure patterns typical of this equipment class - general BMET reference, not verified against this exact unit's own service history unless flagged. Severity is a category-level estimate.
Electrosurgical electrode wear
MediumSymptoms: Poor cut/coag, sparking, low power.
Root cause: Burned/eroded blade or pencil.
Return electrode / pad fault
HighSymptoms: Pad alarm, no activation.
Root cause: Poor contact or expired pad.
Foot switch failure
MediumSymptoms: Unintended or no activation.
Root cause: Fluid ingress / worn switch.
OR light LED failure
LowSymptoms: Dim or dead panel, color shift.
Root cause: LED module aging.
Serviceable Parts & Consumables
The parts a BMET typically services on this class of equipment. Service class and relative cost are general engineering estimates for the category, not figures from this unit's documentation. Part numbers appear only when pulled from this unit's own service manual. Always confirm intervals and pricing against the manufacturer.
Electrosurgical pencil & electrode
Consumable per procedure.
Class ConsumableRel. cost $R&R Easy
Return electrode (patient plate)
Single-use; expiry critical.
Class ConsumableRel. cost $R&R Easy
Foot switch assembly
Class Periodic replacementRel. cost $$R&R Fairly easy
OR light LED module
Class Major service partRel. cost $$$R&R Difficult
| Part | Service class | Relative cost | R&R difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrosurgical pencil & electrode Consumable per procedure. | Consumable | $ | Easy |
| Return electrode (patient plate) Single-use; expiry critical. | Consumable | $ | Easy |
| Foot switch assembly | Periodic replacement | $$ | Fairly easy |
| OR light LED module | Major service part | $$$ | Difficult |
Relative cost: $ lowest · $$$$ highest service-part cost for this equipment class. Not a price.
PM Checklist
Preventive-maintenance tasks typical of this equipment class. Perform to the manufacturer's procedure and your facility's policy - this is general reference, not a schedule for this specific unit.
- ·Pre-case functional check
- ·Electrosurgical return-electrode cable inspection
- ·Table hydraulic / mechanical inspection
- ·Annual electrical safety test and full PM
Troubleshooting Approach
A structured starting point derived from the failure modes above. Follow the manufacturer's service documentation for the actual procedure.
Symptom: Electrosurgical electrode wear
- Confirm the presentation - typically poor cut/coag, sparking, low power - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: burned/eroded blade or pencil.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the electrosurgical pencil & electrode per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Symptom: Return electrode / pad fault
- Confirm the presentation - typically pad alarm, no activation - and note the exact alarm or message and the conditions when it occurs.
- Check the most likely cause first: poor contact or expired pad.
- Isolate the affected subsystem using the manufacturer's functional check or self-test, where one is provided.
- If the fault is confirmed and not a field adjustment, service or replace the return electrode (patient plate) per the manufacturer's service documentation.
- Return the device to service only after the manufacturer's functional and applicable electrical-safety checks pass.
- Record the findings, any parts used, and the verification results in the maintenance history.
Typical Location
Where this class of equipment is typically deployed - general reference, not this unit's own placement record.
- Operating rooms
- Procedure rooms
- Interventional suites
Documents & Manuals
Safety & Recalls
Synced live from the FDA openFDA API.
- RECALL
The devices may have a misaligned thickness control bar.
- RECALL
Skin grafts thin and non-uniform when using the affected blades. The issue would be identified at the time of use and may result in the need for additional harvests to adequately cover the area
- RECALL
Zimmer Biomet Surgical has received product complaints reporting that the surface coating applied to the device is blistering, peeling and discoloring after usage over time (see Image 1). There have been no injuries associated with the reported complaints. In addition, an independent assessment determined that the blistering, peeling and potentially flaking of the surface coating is not expected to result in any long range health consequences. Given that the frequency of this surface coating condition can worsen with age, Zimmer Biomet Surgical is currently making preparations for replacement activities to follow in order to prevent future complaints. This document is provided to alert all users of the potential for the surface coating to exhibit blistering, peeling, and discoloring after usage over time. A separate recall removal notice will be issued to facilities, in phases, with deta
- RECALL
The surface coating applied to the device is blistering, peeling and discoloring after usage over time
- RECALL
Non-injury complaints from Europe identified a malfunction that made it possible for a handpiece to start by itself when the power source is connected.
- RECALL
This removal is in response to complaints alleging that the Zimmer Air Dermatomes and Zimmer Air Dermatome II products would either not operate or operate intermittently. Zimmer's investigation determined that the planetary gear teeth were broken. This may cause a delay or postponement of the surgery or result in a suboptimal graft retrieval with potential of requiring an additional donor site.
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