GE Healthcare Optima IGS Series

Asset Type

Fluoroscopy / Interventional System

Manufacturer

GE Healthcare

Model

Optima IGS Series

What This Guide Helps With

Identifies external causes of flat panel artifacts or calibration issues, including power instability, detector condition, and connection problems affecting image quality.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

• Confirm no patient is on the table and imaging is not active.
• Prevents unnecessary radiation exposure during troubleshooting.

Identify Artifact Type and Behavior

• Review the image and determine:
• Lines, bands, or grid patterns
• Flickering or intermittent noise
• Fixed vs. moving artifact
• Expected Outcome: Pattern helps determine if issue is detector, display, or environmental.
• Why: Artifact behavior is key to narrowing root cause.

Verify Artifact Across All Displays

• Check if the artifact appears on:
• Control room monitors
• Table-side displays
• Stored or archived images
• Expected Outcome:
• Artifact on one monitor only → display issue
• Artifact everywhere → upstream (detector/system) issue

Inspect Detector Surface and Housing

• Check for:
• Dirt, contrast, or fluid contamination
• Physical damage or cracks
• Foreign objects on detector surface
• Clean per manufacturer guidelines if needed.
• Expected Outcome: Surface contamination removed; image improves.
• Why: Debris can mimic calibration or detector defects.

Check Detector Positioning and Mounting

• Ensure the flat panel is:
• Properly seated
• Locked into position
• Not tilted or misaligned
• Expected Outcome: Proper alignment eliminates geometric or shading artifacts.
• Why: Misalignment can affect calibration reference.

Inspect Detector and System Cables

• Check all visible cables between:
• Detector and gantry/C-arm
• Detector interface box (if applicable)
• Look for:
• Loose connections
• Pinched or damaged cables
• Expected Outcome: Secure connections restore signal integrity.
• Why: Signal loss or noise can create artifact patterns.

Verify System Power Stability

• Check:
• System plugged into proper power source
• No recent power fluctuations or UPS alarms
• Expected Outcome: Stable power eliminates transient noise artifacts.
• Why: Voltage instability can affect detector readout.

Check for Environmental Interference (EMI)

• Identify nearby equipment such as:
• Electrosurgical units
• Mobile imaging or portable devices
• Unshielded electronics
• Temporarily remove or power down suspected sources.
• Expected Outcome: Artifact disappears if EMI-related.
• Why: EMI can introduce repeating or flickering patterns.

Perform Detector Calibration (If Accessible)

• From the system interface, run:
• Offset (dark) calibration
• Gain (flat field) calibration
• Follow standard user-level calibration procedures only.
• Expected Outcome: Calibration corrects uniformity or shading artifacts.
• Why: Detector drift over time can require recalibration.

Restart the System

• Perform a controlled shutdown and reboot.
• Expected Outcome: Temporary software or communication issues resolve.
• Why: Resets detector communication and processing chain.

If the Problem Persists

If artifacts remain after completing these steps, common external causes have been ruled out. The issue is likely internal to the detector, acquisition electronics, or image processing system.

Remove the system from service, label it Out of Service, and arrange for vendor service or bench evaluation.

Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting.

Clinical Use Tip

Never troubleshoot detector or imaging issues on an active patient. Move the patient to another room or system before performing any image quality troubleshooting.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"Staff reported vertical lines and shading artifacts appearing on all fluoroscopy images."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Detector calibration drift identified after ruling out cables, contamination, and display issues."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Performed detector calibration; artifacts resolved and image quality restored."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

• Artifact type and pattern (lines, shading, flicker)
• Whether artifact appeared on all monitors
• Detector surface condition (clean/contaminated)
• Cables inspected and reseated
• Calibration performed (yes/no)
• Environmental interference checked
• Final system status (operational or removed from service)

Final Thought

Effective troubleshooting starts with simple, external checks before assuming detector failure. Patient safety, structured logic, and clear documentation ensure reliable imaging systems and reduce unnecessary downtime or vendor calls.

That is successful troubleshooting.