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Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots no-power, incomplete startup, or startup failure caused by external power, battery, connection, docking, or basic operating conditions.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Maintain Ultrasound Availability
If the SonoSite PX is needed for an active procedure, examination, vascular access, or other patient care, move clinical use to another verified ultrasound system before troubleshooting.
Do not continue using equipment that powers off unexpectedly, repeatedly fails startup, smells overheated, shows visible damage, or cannot be relied upon during patient care.
Expected outcome: Patient care continues on reliable equipment and the affected system can be evaluated safely.
2. Confirm the Exact Power or Startup Complaint
Ask clinical staff what occurred:
- No lights or display activity
- Powers on only when connected to AC
- Begins startup but does not reach the normal operating screen
- Shuts down during startup
- Failure began after moving or docking the system
- Failure is intermittent
Attempt a normal power-on with the system removed from clinical use.
Expected outcome: The reported failure is reproduced or the current operating condition is clearly established. If the system starts normally and remains stable through repeated checks, continue with final verification.
3. Inspect the System for Obvious External Damage
Inspect the:
- Power cord and AC adapter/power components accessible to Clinical Engineering
- System power connector
- Cart or dock connections
- Battery installation area
- Display and control surfaces
- External ports
Look for bent connectors, loose plugs, contamination, liquid intrusion, impact damage, excessive heat, or unusual odor.
Expected outcome: No visible condition exists that could make operation unsafe. Remove the system from service immediately if electrical, liquid, impact, or overheating damage is found.
4. Verify AC Power
Confirm the power cord and associated power components are fully seated.
Test the wall receptacle using an appropriate method or move the system to a verified known-good outlet.
If the system is mounted on a cart or dock, verify that any externally accessible cart power connections are securely connected.
Expected outcome: The SonoSite PX receives reliable AC power from a verified source. If normal startup returns after correcting the outlet or connection, the issue is resolved and troubleshooting can stop after final verification.
5. Compare AC and Battery Operation
With the system safely removed from patient care, compare behavior:
- Connected to verified AC power
- Operating from the installed battery, if sufficiently charged
Observe whether one operating mode succeeds while the other fails.
Expected outcome: The failure is isolated to AC input, battery operation, or the overall system. If the system operates normally on AC but not battery, continue with battery troubleshooting rather than assuming a startup electronics failure.
6. Verify Battery Seating and External Condition
Power the system down before disturbing the battery if required by normal safe handling.
Inspect accessible battery areas for:
- Improper seating
- Damaged contacts or housing
- Swelling
- Contamination
- Signs of overheating
Reseat only user-accessible/removable battery components in accordance with approved facility and manufacturer practices.
Expected outcome: The battery is properly installed and physically acceptable. A swollen, damaged, or overheated battery requires removal from service and appropriate battery handling.
7. Isolate the Cart or Dock When Practical
If the PX is used with a cart or dock and the configuration permits normal standalone operation, determine whether the startup problem changes when obvious external docking connections are removed and reconnected appropriately.
Do not dismantle the cart or access internal power assemblies.
Expected outcome: Startup behavior is either restored after correcting an external docking connection or confirmed to be independent of the cart/dock.
8. Remove Nonessential External Accessories
Disconnect nonessential external accessories such as:
- USB storage
- External monitor connections
- Network cables
- Other externally attached peripherals
Leave only the connections required for normal startup.
Attempt another controlled startup.
Expected outcome: The system starts without an external peripheral affecting startup. If removing a specific accessory restores normal operation, inspect or replace that accessory before reconnecting it.
9. Perform a Controlled Restart
If the system partially starts but is unresponsive, perform a normal shutdown/restart using approved operating controls.
Avoid repeated forced shutdowns or undocumented recovery procedures.
Expected outcome: The system reaches its normal operating state and remains responsive. If startup repeatedly stalls or crashes, escalate rather than repeatedly cycling power.
10. Perform Final Functional Verification
After any correction:
- Start the system from a powered-off state
- Confirm stable display and controls
- Verify a compatible transducer is recognized
- Confirm basic imaging is available
- Check AC and battery status as appropriate
- Confirm no abnormal messages or unexpected shutdown occurs
Expected outcome: The SonoSite PX starts normally, remains stable, and supports basic imaging functions. Troubleshooting can stop and the system may be returned to service after applicable safety and functional checks.
If the Problem Persists
If verified power, accessible battery condition, connections, docking, accessories, and controlled restart have been ruled out, the remaining cause may involve an internal power subsystem, battery-management issue, startup software, internal communication problem, 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 Fujifilm SonoSite documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel
Do not proceed into internal power supplies, circuit boards, or undocumented recovery procedures without appropriate authorization.
After repair, complete applicable electrical safety and functional return-to-service testing before clinical use.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
For ultrasound-guided procedures, move the clinician to another verified ultrasound system before investigating intermittent startup or power problems.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the SonoSite PX would not power on when needed for an ultrasound examination."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the system connected through an unreliable AC power source, while the unit started normally from a verified outlet."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Connected the system to verified AC power, completed repeated startups and basic imaging verification, and returned the unit to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Whether any indicators illuminated
- Whether startup began
- Point where startup stopped
- AC versus battery behavior
- Outlet tested
- Power connections inspected
- Battery condition
- Cart or dock status
- External accessories disconnected
- Evidence of damage, heat, odor, or liquid exposure
- Results of repeated startup testing
- Final device status
Final Thought
Start with patient safety and verified external power, then isolate battery, accessory, and docking causes before considering internal failure. Verify reliable operation and document the complaint, cause, and resolution clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.