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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots cart docking and external-power problems caused by seating, damaged connectors, cords, receptacles, alignment, contamination, or mechanical strain.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Patient Care and Stabilize the Equipment
If docking or power is unreliable during clinical use, move the patient examination to another verified ultrasound system or connect the Venue Go to a confirmed stable approved power source.
Secure the cart so unintended movement does not stress connectors.
Expected outcome: Patient care continues without relying on an intermittent dock or power connection.
2. Confirm the Exact Docking or Power Symptom
Determine whether the Venue Go does not charge while docked, loses power when the cart moves, does not seat correctly, has a loose connector, or operates only when a cable is held in a certain position.
Expected outcome: The problem is narrowed to mechanical docking, external power, or an intermittent connection.
3. Inspect the Cart and Docking Area
Inspect the docking mechanism, accessible guides, latches, connectors, contacts, and surrounding structure for damage, contamination, bent components, looseness, or misalignment.
Do not force the system into a damaged docking mechanism.
Expected outcome: The dock is mechanically intact and free of obstruction. Damaged docking hardware results in removal from service.
4. Verify the Wall Power Source
Test the receptacle with an appropriate method and inspect the AC cord and plug.
Try another approved known-good receptacle when practical.
Expected outcome: The facility power source is confirmed good. If moving to a known-good receptacle resolves the problem, troubleshooting can stop after verifying the original outlet issue is appropriately referred.
5. Inspect the External Power Supply and Cable Path
Check the approved external power adapter, cable, strain relief, and routing through the cart.
Look for pinching, crushing, stretched cables, loose plugs, or strain created during cart movement.
Expected outcome: The power cable path is secure and free of damage. Correcting cable strain or seating restores stable power if that was the cause.
6. Reseat the System in the Dock
Remove and reinstall the Venue Go in the cart or dock using the normal approved method.
Confirm that the system is fully seated and supported without forcing the mechanism.
Expected outcome: The system docks securely and charging or external-power indication remains stable.
7. Test for Movement-Related Interruption
With the system under controlled nonclinical conditions, gently move the cart through normal motion while observing power and charging status.
Do not intentionally stress or flex damaged wiring.
Expected outcome: Normal cart movement does not interrupt power. If movement causes loss of power, remove the cart or system from service and isolate the affected component.
8. Compare Direct and Docked Power When Applicable
If the approved configuration allows, compare operation from the normal docked power path with direct approved external power.
Expected outcome: The failure is isolated to the dock or cart power path, external power supply, or Venue Go itself.
9. Perform Final Functional Verification
Confirm reliable charging or external-power indication, startup, imaging, cart movement, shutdown, and redocking.
Inspect that cables remain properly routed after testing.
Expected outcome: Docking and external power remain stable through a representative workflow. Troubleshooting can stop.
10. Escalate Damaged or Intermittent Docking Hardware
If contacts are damaged, the dock will not retain the system securely, or power remains intermittent after external checks, stop troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The affected cart, dock, or ultrasound is removed from service rather than used with an unreliable power connection.
If the Problem Persists
The receptacle, cord, power supply, docking position, cable routing, accessible contacts, and normal cart movement have been checked. Remaining causes may involve internal dock wiring, power-distribution components, connector assemblies, or Venue Go power-management circuitry.
Remove the affected equipment from service and label it Out of Service. Send it for repair or bench evaluation using appropriate GE Healthcare documentation and approved test equipment. Internal repair should be performed only by qualified personnel.
After correction, confirm stable docking, charging, external-power operation, movement tolerance, and normal imaging before return to service.
Knowing when an intermittent docking or power connection is no longer safe to troubleshoot externally is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Prevent cart movement or cable tension from turning an intermittent power connection into an unexpected shutdown during an examination.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Staff reported the Venue Go stopped charging whenever the cart was moved."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the external power connector at the dock was partially seated and being pulled by poor cable routing."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering reseated and rerouted the cable, then verified stable charging and system operation through repeated normal cart movement."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Docked versus undocked behavior
- Receptacle test results
- Power adapter condition
- Connector condition
- Cable routing and strain
- Cart movement effect
- Charging indication
- Direct versus docked comparison
- Final functional result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Protect the examination first, inspect mechanical and power connections before assuming internal failure, reproduce movement-related faults safely, verify stable operation after correction, and document the exact connection or component involved.
That is successful troubleshooting.