GE Healthcare Avance

O2 Sensor Calibration or FiO2 Measurement Error

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Asset Type

Anesthesia Machine

Manufacturer

GE Healthcare

Model

Avance

What This Guide Helps With

Troubleshooting failed oxygen-sensor calibration, inaccurate inspired-oxygen readings, unstable FiO2 values, or oxygen-monitoring errors caused by setup, gas supply, sampling, or sensor issues.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

1. Ensure Patient Safety First

Do not calibrate or troubleshoot the oxygen-monitoring system while the Avance is supporting an active patient.

If the displayed FiO2 is missing, unstable, or inconsistent with the selected gas mixture:

Expected: Patient care no longer depends on equipment with questionable oxygen measurement.

If the patient is safely supported elsewhere, continue troubleshooting in a controlled Clinical Engineering setting.

2. Confirm the Exact Failure

Review the reported message and determine whether the problem involves:

Record the complete displayed message and the conditions present when it occurred.

Expected: The failure is clearly identified before components or settings are changed.

3. Allow the System to Complete Startup

Power the Avance on using a verified electrical outlet and allow it to complete its normal startup sequence.

Do not attempt calibration while the system is still initializing or displaying unresolved startup alarms.

Expected: The machine completes startup without unrelated power, gas-supply, or system-check errors.

If a broader startup or system failure is present, troubleshoot that condition before evaluating the oxygen sensor.

4. Verify the Medical-Gas Supplies

Confirm that:

Use an approved independent method to verify the gas source when the pipeline supply is questionable.

Expected: The Avance has stable and correctly connected medical-gas supplies.

If correcting the supply resolves the FiO2 error, complete an operational check and stop.

5. Inspect the Breathing System

Check the accessible breathing-system components for:

A significant leak or incorrect circuit configuration can prevent a stable oxygen concentration from reaching the measurement system.

Expected: The breathing system is correctly assembled and free of obvious external leaks.

If correcting the circuit resolves the reading, complete the required system test and stop.

6. Check the Gas-Sampling Path

Inspect the external sampling components, when equipped, including:

Replace suspect disposable sampling components with compatible, known-good items.

Expected: Gas can travel through the sampling path without leakage, moisture blockage, or restriction.

If the FiO2 reading becomes stable after replacing a sampling component, verify operation and stop.

7. Inspect the Accessible O2 Sensor Components

With the machine removed from clinical use, inspect the externally accessible oxygen-sensor location and connections.

Check for:

Do not open sealed sensor assemblies or perform internal board-level work.

Expected: The oxygen sensor and its accessible connections are clean, dry, compatible, and securely installed.

If reseating an approved accessible connection resolves the problem, repeat the operational check and stop.

8. Confirm Calibration Conditions

Place the machine in the required nonclinical operating condition and ensure the sensor is exposed to the correct calibration gas environment.

Before starting calibration:

Expected: Calibration is attempted only after the measurement environment is stable and known.

The Avance uses oxygen monitoring as part of its gas-measurement system, so inaccurate calibration conditions can produce an incorrect displayed value.

9. Perform the Approved O2 Sensor Calibration

Run the user-accessible oxygen-sensor calibration from the normal calibration or checkout menu.

Observe whether the calibration:

Do not repeatedly recalibrate a sensor that continues to fail under verified conditions.

Expected: Calibration completes and the displayed oxygen value stabilizes at an appropriate reading for the test gas.

If calibration succeeds, continue to functional verification.

10. Compare the Reading With an Independent Analyzer

Connect a calibrated external oxygen analyzer using an approved test setup.

Test the Avance with controlled oxygen concentrations appropriate for the facility’s verification procedure. Compare the machine’s displayed FiO2 with the independent analyzer after both readings stabilize.

Expected: The Avance reading tracks changes in oxygen concentration and remains within the manufacturer’s applicable tolerance.

If the machine reading is inaccurate while the independent analyzer remains stable, suspect a deteriorated sensor, gas-module problem, connection fault, or internal measurement failure.

11. Substitute Approved External Components

When permitted by facility policy, substitute one external component at a time:

Repeat calibration or verification after each substitution.

Expected: The defective external component is isolated without unnecessary internal disassembly.

If a known-good oxygen sensor calibrates and measures correctly, replace the original sensor and document the result.

12. Complete Final Operational Verification

After calibration or component replacement:

Expected: The Avance passes checkout and provides stable, credible oxygen measurement before being returned to service.

If the Problem Persists

If calibration continues to fail or the FiO2 reading remains inaccurate after gas supplies, circuit configuration, sampling components, sensor seating, calibration conditions, and approved external substitutions have been checked, common external causes have been ruled out.

The issue may involve the oxygen-sensor interface, gas-analysis module, internal pneumatic path, signal processing, wiring, or control electronics.

The device should be:

Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting and escalate the repair is proper Clinical Engineering practice.

Clinical Use Tip

Never rely on a questionable FiO2 reading during patient care. Move the patient to verified equipment or use an approved independent oxygen analyzer before troubleshooting the Avance.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"Anesthesia staff reported that the GE Healthcare Avance displayed an O2 sensor calibration failure and an unstable FiO2 reading."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Inspection found moisture in the gas-sampling water trap and a restricted sample line, preventing stable oxygen measurement during calibration."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Replaced the water trap and sample line, completed O2 sensor calibration, verified the reading against a calibrated external oxygen analyzer, and returned the machine to service."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

Final Thought

Reliable oxygen monitoring is essential to safe anesthesia delivery. Begin with patient protection, verify gas supplies and external components logically, use an independent analyzer, and escalate unresolved measurement failures with complete CCR documentation.

That is successful troubleshooting.

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