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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots unexpected shutdowns, freezes, and restarts caused by AC power, loose connections, accessories, ventilation, environment, or reproducible system instability.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient Immediately
If the AirSeal iFS shuts down, freezes, or restarts during a procedure, transition to an approved alternate system or workflow before troubleshooting.
Do not continue using a device that may unexpectedly stop supporting the procedure.
Expected outcome: The patient and procedure are no longer dependent on the unstable system.
2. Document Exactly What Happened
Determine whether the system:
- Lost all power.
- Froze with the display still illuminated.
- Restarted automatically.
- Shut down after an alarm.
- Failed only during a particular function.
- Recovered when a cable or accessory was moved.
Record any message shown before or after the event.
Expected outcome: The instability is characterized accurately rather than grouped generically as a shutdown.
3. Inspect the AC Power Source
Verify the outlet with an approved method. Inspect the power cord and plug for looseness, damage, heat, or intermittent connection.
If the device was connected through a power strip, cart, UPS, or other external power-distribution equipment, include that equipment in the investigation.
Expected outcome: Stable AC power is confirmed directly to the system.
4. Perform a Movement Check of External Power Connections
With the device removed from patient use, inspect accessible power connections for looseness. Gently verify that normal cable positioning does not cause power loss.
Do not stress connectors or deliberately flex damaged cables.
Expected outcome: Normal handling does not interrupt power.
5. Check Ventilation and Temperature Conditions
Verify vents are unobstructed and the unit has adequate clearance from drapes, walls, other equipment, and stored supplies.
Look for accumulated external dust, unusual fan behavior, or excessive chassis heat without opening the unit.
Expected outcome: No obvious airflow or environmental cause is contributing to the shutdown.
6. Isolate Nonessential Accessories
Disconnect nonessential external accessories with the unit out of clinical use and test the system in a basic approved configuration.
Reconnect accessories individually if the system remains stable.
Expected outcome: The problem either disappears with an external component removed or remains independent of accessories.
7. Perform One Controlled Restart
After verifying power and external conditions, complete a normal shutdown if possible, reconnect the system to verified AC power, and perform one controlled restart.
Do not repeatedly restart a unit that continues to freeze or shut down.
Expected outcome: The device completes startup normally and remains responsive.
8. Attempt to Reproduce the Failure Safely
Operate the device in an approved test configuration through the functions associated with the original complaint.
Observe for:
- Freeze.
- Restart.
- Loss of power.
- Alarm.
- Fan changes.
- Unusual heat or odor.
Stop immediately for abnormal heat, odor, smoke, or electrical symptoms.
Expected outcome: The system remains stable throughout the functional test, or the failure is reproduced and documented for escalation.
9. Verify Reliable Operation Before Release
A single successful startup is insufficient after an intermittent shutdown complaint. Confirm sustained normal operation and applicable alarms and controls according to approved procedures.
Expected outcome: The original problem is resolved, operation remains stable, and required checks pass. Troubleshooting can stop.
10. Escalate Any Unexplained Recurrence
If the device freezes, restarts, or shuts down again after external causes are ruled out, remove it from service even if it subsequently appears normal.
Expected outcome: Intermittent system instability is treated as a legitimate failure requiring evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes have been ruled out. Remaining possibilities include internal power distribution, thermal management, software, internal communication, power supply components, 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 or configured only by qualified personnel.
Following repair, perform sufficient operational testing to demonstrate stable operation and complete applicable safety verification before return to service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
An intermittent restart during a case should be treated as a real failure even if the unit powers back up and appears normal afterward.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"OR staff reported that the AirSeal iFS unexpectedly shut off during room setup and restarted when the cart was moved."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found a loose power-cord connection at the device inlet and no evidence of internal overheating or physical damage."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Corrected the power connection, verified stable operation during functional testing and cable positioning, and returned the unit to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Whether the unit shut down, froze, or restarted.
- Exact messages or alarms.
- AC outlet tested.
- Power cord and inlet condition.
- Use of external power strips or UPS equipment.
- Accessories connected.
- Ventilation condition.
- Heat, odor, or abnormal fan behavior.
- Whether the failure was reproduced.
- Duration of successful final testing.
- Final device status.
Final Thought
Unexpected shutdowns and freezes require more than confirming that the unit powers back on. Establish stable power, inspect connections and airflow, reproduce the complaint safely when possible, and escalate any unexplained recurrence before the device returns to patient care.
That is successful troubleshooting.