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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots unresponsive controls caused by contamination, obstruction, software state, external accessories, power conditions, or localized control failure.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Procedure
If controls become unreliable during an active procedure or examination, discontinue dependence on the affected PX and move to another verified ultrasound system.
Do not continue clinical use when the operator cannot reliably select controls, freeze images, adjust imaging, or respond to prompts.
Expected outcome: Patient care continues with fully controllable equipment.
2. Determine Which Controls Are Affected
Confirm whether the problem affects:
- Touchscreen only
- Trackpad only
- Specific physical controls
- Entire control panel
- All user input
- Controls only after prolonged use
- Controls only after startup or docking
Expected outcome: The failure is isolated to a specific input method or confirmed to affect the entire interface.
3. Inspect for Contamination or Physical Obstruction
Check the touchscreen and controls for:
- Gel
- Cleaning residue
- Moisture
- Adhesive material
- Gloves or covers interfering with operation
- Debris around movable controls
- Cracked or damaged surfaces
Clean only according to approved device-compatible cleaning practices.
Expected outcome: Control surfaces are clean, dry, and unobstructed. If operation returns after cleaning, continue with functional verification.
4. Check for Obvious Physical Damage
Inspect the control panel, trackpad, touchscreen, hinges, and surrounding surfaces for impact damage or loose components.
Expected outcome: No damage is present that could create unsafe or unpredictable operation. Physically damaged controls require removal from service.
5. Confirm the System Is Otherwise Responsive
Observe whether:
- Imaging continues
- Display content updates
- Battery or system indicators change
- Other controls respond
- The system is fully frozen rather than only one input device failing
Expected outcome: The problem is distinguished between a localized control failure and a broader system lockup.
6. Remove Nonessential External Accessories
Disconnect nonessential USB devices, external displays, or other peripherals that might affect system behavior.
Expected outcome: Controls either return to normal or the failure persists with a minimal external configuration.
7. Perform a Normal Controlled Restart
When clinically safe, use the normal shutdown process if the interface permits it, then restart the PX.
Avoid repeated forced shutdowns unless required by an approved recovery method.
Expected outcome: All user controls respond normally after startup. If the failure immediately returns, continue isolation rather than repeatedly rebooting.
8. Compare Different Input Methods
If only one interface is affected, test whether the same command can be performed through another normal input method where available.
Do not use this as justification for continued clinical service if an essential control remains unreliable.
Expected outcome: The fault is isolated to a particular touchscreen, trackpad, or control-panel function.
9. Check Basic Configuration Without Entering Restricted Menus
Verify that the system is in a normal operating state and that no obvious user-level screen, dialog, lock, or mode is preventing expected control operation.
Do not enter undocumented service menus or change protected settings.
Expected outcome: Normal input operation is restored or a genuine control failure remains.
10. Perform Final Functional Verification
After correction:
- Navigate normal menus
- Select an appropriate exam
- Adjust basic imaging controls
- Freeze and unfreeze an image
- Use the trackpad
- Test touchscreen interaction
- Verify relevant physical controls
- Confirm stable operation over repeated commands
Expected outcome: Controls respond consistently and correctly. Troubleshooting can stop when all essential user interfaces function normally.
If the Problem Persists
If contamination, physical obstruction, external accessories, software state, and basic configuration have been ruled out, the issue may involve the touchscreen assembly, trackpad, control-panel electronics, internal communication, system software, or another service-level fault.
The system should be:
- Removed from service if essential controls are unreliable
- 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 bypass failed controls or attempt internal board-level repair.
After service, verify all affected controls and complete applicable system functional testing before return to clinical use.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
An ultrasound system with intermittent operator controls should not remain available for guided procedures where immediate, predictable control response is required.
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 touchscreen did not respond reliably during setup."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found dried ultrasound gel and cleaning residue on the touchscreen surface, while the trackpad and other controls operated normally."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Cleaned and dried the touchscreen using approved practices, verified repeated touch and imaging-control operation, and returned the system to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Controls affected
- Whether imaging continued
- Surface contamination
- Evidence of physical damage
- External accessories connected
- Result after restart
- Alternate control method result
- Whether failure was intermittent
- Functions tested after correction
- Final device status
Final Thought
Control failures should be isolated through inspection, cleaning, input comparison, and controlled restart before internal hardware is suspected. Reliable operator control must be verified before the system returns to patient care.
That is successful troubleshooting.