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Asset Type
Fluoroscopy / Interventional System
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots poor image quality or artifacts caused by positioning, accessories, contamination, technique, display conditions, detector issues, or environmental factors.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient From Unnecessary Repeat Imaging
If poor image quality could lead to repeated exposures, stop clinical troubleshooting and use an approved test object or phantom whenever possible. If diagnostic imaging cannot be obtained reliably, use alternate equipment.
Expected outcome: Additional patient exposure is minimized while the image-quality problem is evaluated.
2. Confirm the Artifact or Image Problem
Determine whether the complaint involves noise, lines, shading, nonuniformity, distortion, clipping, motion blur, poor contrast, localized artifacts, or another visible problem. Establish whether it occurs in fluoroscopy, acquisition, all modes, or only certain positioning.
Expected outcome: The image-quality complaint is clearly characterized and reproducible.
3. Inspect the Imaging Field
Check for external objects within or near the beam path, including cables, table accessories, pads, positioning devices, clips, tools, drapes, protective equipment, or other radiopaque materials.
Expected outcome: No unintended object is contributing to the image. If removal resolves the artifact, verify with a test image and stop.
4. Inspect Accessible Imaging Surfaces
Inspect detector covers and other accessible surfaces for dirt, fluid residue, damage, attached materials, or objects that could affect imaging.
Clean only according to approved procedures.
Expected outcome: Accessible imaging surfaces are clean and intact. If cleaning removes the artifact, verify and stop.
5. Verify Patient or Test-Object Positioning
Check centering, orientation, motion, geometry, and positioning of the patient or approved test object. Confirm the artifact is not caused by movement or inappropriate placement.
Expected outcome: Positioning is appropriate and repeatable. If corrected positioning restores acceptable images, troubleshooting can stop after confirmation.
6. Review Normal Imaging Selections
Verify that the selected examination and user-accessible image-processing or acquisition settings are appropriate for the intended task. Compare the issue with a known normal workflow when possible.
Do not alter calibration or restricted service parameters.
Expected outcome: Normal imaging settings are appropriate. If an incorrect selection caused the problem, restore the correct configuration and verify images.
7. Compare Across Modes or Positions
Using an approved phantom or test object, determine whether the artifact follows a specific acquisition mode, detector position, field location, or geometry.
This helps separate external positioning problems from persistent equipment-related image defects.
Expected outcome: The artifact is either eliminated through an external correction or shown to persist consistently under controlled testing.
8. Perform Final Image-Quality Verification
Acquire appropriate nonclinical test images and confirm that the reported artifact is absent and image quality is consistent with normal system performance and departmental expectations.
Expected outcome: Test images are free from the reported abnormality. If successful, troubleshooting can stop.
If the Problem Persists
Persistent artifacts after positioning, beam-path objects, accessible surfaces, normal selections, and controlled comparison testing have been ruled out may involve detector calibration, acquisition electronics, image processing, generator performance, configuration, display processing, or another service-level condition.
Remove the system from clinical service if image quality is unreliable or could affect diagnosis or procedural guidance. Label it Out of Service and arrange evaluation with Canon documentation, approved phantoms, and appropriate test equipment.
Following service, complete required image-quality, calibration, functional, and safety verification before return to use.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Evaluate artifacts with a consistent test object whenever possible so patients are not repeatedly exposed during troubleshooting.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Staff reported a repeatable artifact appearing on Canon Ultimax-i images."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found a radiopaque positioning accessory unintentionally remaining within the imaging field."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering removed the accessory and verified normal artifact-free imaging using an approved test object."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Description of artifact
- Imaging mode affected
- Position or field where it appears
- Accessories in beam path
- Surface contamination or damage
- Positioning used
- Settings observed
- Test object or phantom used
- Before-and-after image results
- Final clinical status
Final Thought
Image-quality troubleshooting should eliminate simple physical, positioning, accessory, and selection-related causes before detector or processing failure is assumed. Minimize unnecessary exposure, verify correction objectively, escalate persistent defects, and document the evidence clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.