On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting strip placement, timing, alignment, detection, and read-start errors on the ARKRAY AUTION ELEVEN AE-4022.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
Confirm the analyzer is not actively processing a patient urine strip before troubleshooting.
If testing is urgent, have laboratory staff use another validated analyzer or follow the approved downtime procedure.
Expected outcome: No patient result is delayed, lost, or reported from a questionable strip run.
Stop Testing and Protect Result Integrity
Ask staff whether a patient strip was already dipped or placed when the error occurred.
Confirm whether the test was completed, rejected, or needs to be repeated according to lab policy.
Expected outcome: Incomplete or improperly timed urine chemistry results are not released.
Confirm the Exact Reported Issue
Ask staff what they observed.
Check whether the issue involves:
- Strip placed too early
- Strip placed too late
- Analyzer not detecting the strip
- Strip not aligned correctly
- Repeated timing prompts
- Read cycle starting but failing
- Error only with certain operators
- Error only with certain strip bottles
Expected outcome: The issue is confirmed as a strip placement or timing problem, not a QC, printer, LIS, or power issue.
Verify Correct Test Strip Type
Confirm staff are using ARKRAY AUTION Sticks intended for the AUTION ELEVEN AE-4022.
The AE-4022 is designed around AUTION strip technology and automatic strip reading, so incorrect or incompatible strips can cause placement, alignment, or reading problems.
Expected outcome: The correct strips are being used before analyzer failure is suspected.
Check Strip Condition and Handling
Inspect the strip bottle and several unused strips.
Look for:
- Expired strips
- Moisture exposure
- Warped strips
- Bent reagent pads
- Discolored pads
- Bottle left open
- Strips stored outside required conditions
Expected outcome: Damaged or improperly stored strips are ruled out.
Review Operator Timing Workflow
Observe the operator’s normal process if possible.
Confirm the strip is dipped, blotted, and placed according to the facility’s approved procedure.
The AE-4022 supports continuous strip placement, and ARKRAY describes auto start mode with strips placed every 7 seconds, so incorrect pacing can contribute to timing complaints.
Expected outcome: The operator is not placing strips too slowly, too quickly, or outside the expected analyzer workflow.
Inspect the Strip Placement Area
With the analyzer idle, inspect the strip placement and transport area for obvious external issues.
Look for:
- Dried urine residue
- Control material buildup
- Dust or debris
- Stray strip fragments
- Crystallized sample
- Anything blocking strip seating or movement
Expected outcome: The strip can sit flat and enter the measurement path without obstruction.
Clean User-Accessible Surfaces
Clean only the user-accessible strip placement area using the facility-approved method and manufacturer-approved cleaning guidance.
Do not flood the analyzer or use aggressive cleaning around sensors or openings.
Expected outcome: Residue that could interfere with strip detection or alignment is removed.
Confirm the Analyzer Is Level and Stable
Check that the AE-4022 is sitting on a stable, level bench with adequate clearance.
A tilted or unstable surface can affect strip placement and movement on small benchtop analyzers.
Expected outcome: The analyzer is physically positioned for reliable strip handling.
Restart the Analyzer if Safe
If no specimens are in process, power the analyzer down and restart it.
Allow it to complete startup checks before placing another strip.
Expected outcome: Temporary software or detection state issues are cleared.
Run a Controlled Test With a Fresh Strip
Have lab staff test using a fresh, properly stored strip and approved control material if appropriate.
Observe whether the strip is accepted, aligned, and read normally.
The AE-4022 is designed to automatically align placed strips, so repeated failure after correct placement may indicate a detection, transport, or alignment problem.
Expected outcome: If the strip is accepted and read correctly, return the analyzer to service after lab verification.
Check for Pattern by Operator, Strip Lot, or Location
If the issue is intermittent, compare failures by:
- Operator
- Strip lot
- Strip bottle
- Time of day
- Analyzer location
- Cleaning history
- Recent reagent change
- Recent software or LIS workflow change
Expected outcome: A workflow, reagent, or environmental pattern is identified before repair escalation.
Verify QC Status Before Patient Testing Resumes
Confirm QC is acceptable before returning the analyzer to patient use.
Do not return the analyzer to routine testing if QC is locked out, failed, expired, or incomplete.
Expected outcome: Patient testing resumes only after the analyzer and testing process are verified.
Stop if the Error Repeats Under Correct Conditions
If the same strip placement or timing error occurs with correct strips, proper workflow, clean placement area, and acceptable setup, remove the analyzer from use.
Expected outcome: The device is not used when a possible internal sensor, transport, or alignment issue remains unresolved.
If the Problem Persists
If proper strip type, strip condition, operator timing, placement area cleanliness, bench setup, and restart have all been checked, the issue is likely internal to the strip detection, transport, alignment, or reading mechanism.
The AUTION ELEVEN AE-4022 should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting. Continued testing with repeated placement or timing errors can risk inaccurate or incomplete urine chemistry results.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot strip placement or timing problems during active patient testing. If the analyzer is rejecting strips or producing timing errors, move testing to another validated device or approved downtime process first.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Laboratory staff reported repeated strip placement/timing errors on the ARKRAY AUTION ELEVEN AE-4022 during routine urine testing."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Found dried residue in the strip placement area and confirmed one partially warped strip bottle was being used."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Cleaned user-accessible strip placement area, removed questionable strips from use, verified proper strip placement workflow, and analyzer passed control testing before return to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact displayed error or prompt
- Whether issue occurred before or after strip placement
- Strip lot and expiration date checked
- Strip bottle condition checked
- Placement area inspected
- Residue or debris found
- Operator workflow observed
- QC status before and after troubleshooting
- Whether fresh strips resolved the issue
- Whether analyzer was returned to service or removed for repair
Final Thought
Strip placement and timing issues should be approached logically. Start with patient safety, then verify the strip, operator workflow, placement area, and simple external causes before suspecting internal failure. Good documentation protects patient results and gives repair staff useful failure details if escalation is needed.
That is successful troubleshooting.