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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots weak or unstable flow, evacuation, or related output caused by setup, tubing, consumables, connections, settings, or external restrictions.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Procedure
If AirSeal output is unreliable during use, do not continue adjusting the system indefinitely while a patient depends on it. Provide an approved alternate method for maintaining the required procedural support.
Expected outcome: Clinical care is supported independently before technical troubleshooting begins.
2. Define Which Output Is Abnormal
Determine what staff mean by low, unstable, or inaccurate output. Establish whether the complaint involves:
- Smoke evacuation.
- Flow.
- Pressure-related performance.
- Intermittent output.
- Displayed value versus observed performance.
Record the selected settings and the clinical conditions when the issue occurred.
Expected outcome: The complaint is defined by the specific function that is not performing as expected.
3. Verify Normal Startup and Alarms
Confirm the system starts normally and does not display an active alarm or setup warning that could explain altered output.
Expected outcome: Testing begins from a normal operating state.
4. Inspect the Complete External Gas and Tubing Path
Trace the external path from the system through all connected approved tubing and accessories.
Check for:
- Kinks.
- Pinches.
- Occlusions.
- Loose fittings.
- Disconnections.
- Incorrect routing.
- Collapsed tubing.
- Damaged connectors.
Expected outcome: The external flow path is open, correctly connected, and free of obvious restrictions.
5. Inspect Consumables and Procedure Accessories
Verify that installed filters, tubing sets, and other applicable disposables are correct, properly installed, and not visibly contaminated, saturated, damaged, or obstructed.
Replace suspect disposables with approved new components when appropriate.
Expected outcome: A clean, correctly installed consumable path is established.
6. Verify Settings and Operating Mode
Compare the normal operator-accessible settings with the intended clinical application. Confirm staff have not unintentionally selected a different mode or setting.
Do not alter protected configuration parameters or service-level calibration values.
Expected outcome: The system is configured appropriately for the intended function.
7. Substitute Known-Good External Components
Use known-good approved tubing, accessories, and disposables as appropriate to determine whether the performance follows an external component.
Expected outcome: Normal output with a known-good component isolates the original accessory or consumable as the problem.
8. Evaluate for Leaks or Poor Connections
Inspect accessible tubing connections and procedure interfaces for looseness or poor seating that could reduce effective output or cause unstable regulation.
Use only approved test methods when checking system performance.
Expected outcome: External connections remain secure and the system output is stable.
9. Perform Approved Functional Verification
Once external causes are corrected, verify the relevant system output using appropriate manufacturer guidance and approved test equipment where measurement is required.
Do not declare an output accurate based only on subjective observation if quantitative verification is required.
Expected outcome: The output is stable and performs as expected under the approved test condition. Troubleshooting can stop.
10. Escalate Unresolved Output Problems
If approved accessories, tubing, consumables, settings, connections, and test conditions are correct but output remains unreliable, stop external troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The device is removed from service for technical evaluation rather than adjusted beyond authorized limits.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes have been ruled out. Remaining possibilities include internal flow or pressure regulation, sensing, pneumatic components, calibration, software, or another service-level fault.
The device should be:
- Removed from service.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation.
- Evaluated using appropriate CONMED documentation and approved test equipment.
- Repaired, adjusted, or calibrated only by qualified personnel.
Following repair, verify the affected output using the appropriate test method and complete all required functional and safety checks before return to service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Unstable procedural output should trigger device exchange rather than repeated adjustment while the patient remains dependent on the system.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"OR staff reported weak smoke evacuation from the AirSeal iFS during setup."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the external tubing partially kinked behind the equipment cart and confirmed normal system operation after correcting the routing."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Rerouted the tubing, verified stable evacuation performance and alarms using the approved setup, and returned the system to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Specific output reported as low or unstable.
- Operating mode and settings observed.
- Alarm or message present.
- Tubing routing and condition.
- Consumable condition.
- Connections inspected.
- Known-good substitutions.
- Performance before and after correction.
- Approved measurement results if performed.
- Final system status.
Final Thought
Output complaints should be traced through the complete external path before internal regulation is suspected. Correct setup, intact tubing, approved consumables, verified settings, objective testing, and appropriate escalation provide a safer conclusion than unnecessary adjustment.
That is successful troubleshooting.