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What This Guide Helps With
This guide helps troubleshoot the Disposable type invalid alarm on the ICU Medical CADD-Solis infusion pump. The manual lists this as a high-priority alarm. The pump uses a cassette type sensor circuit with three pins that interface with molded features in the attached administration set to identify the disposable type. If the pump cannot recognize the cassette or set type correctly, infusion therapy may be interrupted or prevented from starting.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
- Do not troubleshoot the pump while it is actively delivering therapy to a patient.
- Notify clinical staff that the pump has a high-priority disposable recognition alarm.
- Move the patient to a backup pump or alternate approved infusion method before continuing troubleshooting.
- Do not restart therapy until the disposable type is correctly recognized and the pump is safe for use.
Verify the Reported Alarm
- Confirm the pump displays Disposable type invalid.
- Ask staff when the alarm appeared, such as during cassette attachment, programming, priming, startup, or after a set change.
- Confirm whether the alarm occurs with one specific disposable or with multiple sets.
- Check whether the issue started after a new brand, style, or lot of administration sets was introduced.
Confirm Disposable Compatibility
- Verify the cassette or administration set is approved and compatible with the CADD-Solis pump.
- Compare the set being used against facility-approved CADD-Solis disposable options.
- Remove any incorrect, expired, damaged, or questionable disposable from use.
- If the set does not match the ordered therapy or pump configuration, have clinical staff replace it with the correct disposable.
Replace the Disposable
- Remove the attached cassette or administration set according to facility procedure.
- Inspect the disposable for cracked plastic, bent features, missing molded tabs, contamination, or signs that it did not seat correctly.
- Attach a new compatible disposable and make sure it is fully seated and latched.
- Confirm whether the pump recognizes the disposable type and clears the alarm.
Inspect External Cassette Seating and Pump Contact Area
- Check the cassette area for debris, dried fluid, medication residue, or anything preventing the disposable from sitting flat.
- Inspect the external sensor pin area without disassembling the pump.
- Do not force the cassette into place.
- Do not bend, pry, or manipulate the sensor pins.
- If contamination is present, clean only according to approved facility and manufacturer cleaning instructions.
Test With a Known-Good Compatible Disposable
- Use a known-good compatible CADD-Solis disposable from approved stock.
- Attach the disposable and confirm whether the alarm repeats.
- If the alarm clears with the known-good disposable, remove the original disposable from use and report the issue if needed.
- If the alarm repeats with multiple compatible disposables, suspect a pump-side cassette recognition or sensor issue.
Check for User Setup or Loading Issues
- Confirm staff are attaching the cassette in the correct orientation.
- Verify the cassette latch fully closes.
- Check for partial engagement, pinched tubing, or anything preventing the cassette from locking correctly.
- Review whether the alarm occurs only with a certain user, workflow, therapy type, or care area.
If the Problem Persists
If compatible disposables have been confirmed, the disposable has been replaced, cassette seating has been checked, and the alarm still appears with a known-good set, external causes have been ruled out. Remove the pump from service, label it Out of Service, and send it for repair or bench evaluation. The pump may require evaluation of the cassette type sensor pins, sensor circuit, latch area, or related internal components by qualified service personnel.
Clinical Use Tip
Never troubleshoot this alarm on an active patient. Move the patient to a backup pump or alternate approved infusion method first. A high-priority disposable recognition alarm can interrupt infusion therapy and should be treated as a patient safety issue until resolved.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"ICU Medical CADD-Solis pump alarming Disposable type invalid after administration set was attached."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Confirmed high-priority Disposable type invalid alarm. Original cassette was not recognized by pump. Verified compatible set and inspected cassette seating area for visible obstruction."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Replaced disposable with known-good compatible CADD-Solis administration set. Pump recognized cassette type and alarm cleared. Pump passed functional check and was returned to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Alarm behavior
- Accessories swapped
- Power behavior
- Environmental factors
- Indicator lights
- Final device status
Final Thought
The Disposable type invalid alarm should be handled with a safety-first approach because it can prevent correct infusion setup or interrupt therapy. Start with the disposable, compatibility, cassette seating, and external contact area before suspecting pump failure. If the pump does not recognize multiple known-good compatible disposables, remove it from service and document the complaint, cause, and resolution clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.