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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshoots repeated helium refill requests or unavailable helium caused by supply, connection, seating, leakage, or external pneumatic setup problems.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient Before Investigating Helium Availability
Helium is required for balloon pumping. If the Cardiosave cannot maintain the helium supply needed for reliable support, coordinate immediate patient support using another verified IABP or clinically appropriate alternative.
Do not troubleshoot an unreliable therapeutic system while a patient depends on it.
Expected outcome: Continuity of circulatory support is maintained.
2. Confirm the Helium-Related Complaint
Document exactly what the Cardiosave displays and whether the issue occurs at startup, during pumping, after transport, or repeatedly during otherwise normal operation.
Do not invent or paraphrase an alarm code in the work order; record the actual message if known.
Expected outcome: The pattern of helium loss or unavailability is clearly established.
3. Verify the Helium Supply Is Present
Inspect the accessible helium supply according to the configuration in use. Confirm that the appropriate supply is installed, available, correctly positioned, and not obviously depleted or damaged.
Expected outcome: An appropriate helium supply is present. If the supply is depleted and replacement restores normal operation, complete functional verification and stop troubleshooting.
4. Inspect the Helium Supply Connection
Check accessible supply fittings for incomplete engagement, looseness, contamination, damaged threads or seals, and obvious physical damage.
Do not open the internal gas system.
Expected outcome: The supply is securely and correctly connected. If reseating a valid external connection resolves the problem, verify sustained operation and stop troubleshooting.
5. Inspect for Signs of External Leakage
Listen and inspect for obvious external leakage around accessible helium connections. Check for damaged hoses, fittings, or connection points.
Do not use unapproved leak-detection substances on medical equipment.
Expected outcome: No external helium leakage is evident. An identified damaged external component should be replaced only with an approved component.
6. Verify Balloon Catheter and Pneumatic Connections
Repeated helium demand may also be associated with a compromised external pneumatic path. Inspect catheter-side connections, adapters, and accessible tubing for loose fittings, damage, or improper seating.
Expected outcome: The patient-side external pneumatic connections are intact. If correcting an external leak stops repeated refill requests, verify operation and stop troubleshooting.
7. Determine Whether Transport or Movement Is Related
If the issue occurs after movement, inspect whether the helium supply, fittings, catheter tubing, or external hoses are being pulled, compressed, or loosened during transfer.
Expected outcome: Movement does not disturb the helium or pneumatic connections. If repositioning or securing external components prevents recurrence, verify operation and stop troubleshooting.
8. Test the Pump Off-Patient
After removing the unit from patient dependence, evaluate helium system performance using approved test equipment and manufacturer procedures. Observe whether the unit maintains its helium supply during simulated operation.
Expected outcome: Helium availability remains stable through controlled testing. Repeated depletion during bench testing indicates escalation is required.
9. Perform Final Operational Verification
After correcting an external cause, verify normal startup, helium availability, pumping operation, alarms, controls, and required return-to-service checks.
Expected outcome: No recurrent helium refill or supply problem occurs during testing. Troubleshooting can stop.
10. Remove From Service if Helium Loss Continues
Persistent unexplained helium loss may indicate an internal pneumatic leak or another service-level defect. Do not repeatedly refill the system and return it to clinical use without resolving the cause.
Expected outcome: The device is removed from service for further evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
Common external supply, connection, tubing, and catheter-side causes have been ruled out. Possible remaining categories include internal pneumatic leakage, helium control-system problems, sensing faults, or another internal gas-handling condition.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate Getinge documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired only by qualified personnel
After repair, verify helium integrity, pumping operation, alarms, and all applicable return-to-service requirements.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Repeated helium refill requests during active support should not be treated as a nuisance alarm; confirm that uninterrupted balloon pumping can be maintained or move the patient to alternate support.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Cardiosave repeatedly requested helium refill during operation."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the external helium supply connection was not fully seated."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering reseated the supply connection, verified stable helium availability during functional testing, and returned the unit to service after required checks."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact helium-related message
- When the refill request occurs
- Helium supply condition
- Supply connection condition
- Catheter and pneumatic tubing condition
- Evidence of external leakage
- Whether the problem follows transport
- Bench-test results
- Recurrence during testing
- Final device status
- Exact helium-related message
- When the refill request occurs
- Helium supply condition
- Supply connection condition
- Catheter and pneumatic tubing condition
- Evidence of external leakage
- Whether the problem follows transport
- Bench-test results
- Recurrence during testing
- Final device status
Final Thought
Reliable helium availability is essential for counterpulsation. Verify the supply, external connections, tubing, and catheter-side pneumatic path before assuming an internal leak, and remove the pump from service when unexplained helium loss persists.
That is successful troubleshooting.