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Asset Type
Fluoroscopy / Interventional System
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots frozen controls, unavailable workstation functions, or subsystem communication loss caused by connections, software state, network, power, or external infrastructure.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Procedure
If the workstation freezes or loses communication during clinical use, do not depend on uncertain imaging or control functions. Follow the department's safe procedure interruption or alternate-equipment plan.
Expected outcome: Patient care is no longer dependent on an unstable workstation.
2. Confirm What Has Frozen or Disconnected
Determine whether the entire workstation is unresponsive, only one application is affected, images have stopped updating, acquisition hardware is disconnected, or another subsystem is reporting loss of communication.
Record displayed messages and the last successful action.
Expected outcome: The affected portion of the system is clearly identified.
3. Check Basic Power and Display Status
Confirm that the workstation, displays, and externally powered peripherals remain on. Verify that the problem is not simply a powered-off display, loose power connection, or disconnected peripheral.
Expected outcome: Required external workstation hardware has power. If restoring an external power connection corrects the issue, verify stability and stop.
4. Inspect Accessible Communication Connections
Inspect accessible Ethernet, data, USB, display, and other external connections relevant to the affected workstation or subsystem. Check for loose plugs, damaged cables, or recent room activity.
Do not disturb internal system wiring.
Expected outcome: External communication connections are secure. If reconnection restores communication, verify continued operation and stop.
5. Determine Whether the Problem Is Local or Infrastructure-Related
Check whether only the Ultimax-i workstation is affected or whether other room or hospital systems are also experiencing network or communication problems.
Expected outcome: The failure is categorized as device-local or potentially infrastructure-related.
6. Allow Normal Application Recovery When Appropriate
If the system provides an approved normal method to close or restart an affected application, use it only when patient care is protected and no data-integrity concern is present.
Avoid forced shutdown unless normal methods are unavailable and facility procedures permit it.
Expected outcome: The application returns to normal operation without recurring communication loss.
7. Perform a Controlled System Restart if Needed
When appropriate, complete the normal system shutdown and restart sequence. Observe whether all acquisition and communication functions reconnect normally.
Expected outcome: The workstation completes startup and reconnects to required system components. If communication remains stable, proceed to final verification.
8. Verify Workstation and Acquisition Functions
Without a patient, confirm responsive controls, acquisition readiness, image display, and the specific communication path that previously failed.
Expected outcome: The workstation remains responsive and required communications are stable. If successful, troubleshooting can stop.
If the Problem Persists
Repeated freezing or communication loss after external power, connections, and normal restart have been checked may involve workstation hardware, operating software, internal network communication, acquisition subsystem communication, configuration, or hospital infrastructure.
Remove the system from service if the condition could interrupt imaging or procedural control. Label it Out of Service and arrange qualified service evaluation. Coordinate with IT or network teams when evidence suggests infrastructure involvement.
Service should use Canon documentation and approved diagnostic methods. After correction, verify workstation stability, acquisition communication, image handling, and any affected network functions before return to use.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
A workstation that intermittently recovers is not necessarily reliable; verify sustained acquisition and communication before returning it to procedural use.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Canon Ultimax-i workstation stopped responding and lost communication with the imaging system."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found an accessible data connection at the workstation loose."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering secured the connection, completed a normal restart, and verified stable workstation response and acquisition communication."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact frozen function
- Communication message
- Last successful action
- Workstation and display power
- External cable condition
- Other systems affected
- Restart result
- Acquisition readiness afterward
- Duration of stability testing
- Final system status
Final Thought
Workstation problems should be separated into power, connection, software, device communication, and infrastructure categories before internal failure is assumed. Protect patient care, verify stability after correction, escalate recurring failures, and document exactly what was tested.
That is successful troubleshooting.