On this page
Asset Type
Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting Portascan 3D display, touchscreen, dim screen, frozen screen, or unresponsive interface issues from external causes.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
Confirm the Portascan 3D is not being used for an active patient assessment.
If the scanner display or touchscreen is unreliable during patient care, clinical staff should stop using the unit and obtain another bladder scanner.
Expected outcome: Patient care is not delayed or based on an unreliable device.
Confirm the Reported Display or Touchscreen Failure
Ask staff what they observed.
Common reports may include:
- Blank LCD screen
- Dim or flickering display
- Touchscreen does not respond
- Screen freezes during scan
- Incorrect or delayed touch response
- Display works intermittently
- Unit powers on but no usable image or menu appears
Expected outcome: The specific failure mode is confirmed before troubleshooting.
Check Basic Power Status
Verify the unit powers on normally.
Confirm whether any power indicator, startup tone, backlight, logo screen, or boot activity appears.
Expected outcome: The scanner shows signs of power. If there is no power at all, troubleshoot the issue as a power or battery problem instead of a display-only failure.
Check Battery Charge Level
Place the unit on its charger or connect the approved power supply, if available.
Allow the scanner to charge long enough to rule out a deeply discharged battery.
Expected outcome: A low-battery or power-related screen issue improves after charging. If the display returns to normal, document the low battery condition and stop.
Verify Charger and Power Adapter Connection
Inspect the charger, power adapter, docking contacts, and power cord for looseness, damage, bent pins, contamination, or poor seating.
Try a known-good approved charger or power supply if available.
Expected outcome: The display operates normally when reliable charging or external power is restored. If resolved, remove any defective charger or accessory from service.
Inspect the Display Surface
Check the LCD and touchscreen surface for cracks, fluid intrusion, pressure damage, delamination, dead areas, or signs the screen has been struck.
Do not continue using the device if the display is cracked or unreadable.
Expected outcome: Physical damage is identified or ruled out. A cracked or fluid-damaged display should be escalated for repair.
Clean the Touchscreen Surface
Clean the screen using facility-approved wipes compatible with the device.
Remove gel residue, disinfectant film, glove powder, tape residue, or dried fluid that may interfere with touch response.
Avoid excessive liquid near screen edges.
Expected outcome: Touch response improves after the surface is cleaned. If resolved, return the scanner to service after functional verification.
Check for Protective Film or Cover Interference
Inspect for a lifting screen protector, wrinkled film, aftermarket cover, or debris trapped along the screen edge.
Remove only non-required external coverings that are interfering with touch function, according to facility practice.
Expected outcome: Touch input becomes accurate and responsive after the obstruction is removed.
Power Cycle the Scanner
Turn the Portascan 3D off, wait briefly, and power it back on.
Observe whether the unit boots normally and whether the touchscreen responds at the home screen or menu.
Expected outcome: A temporary software or interface lockup clears after restart. If resolved, document the freeze and verify normal operation.
Check for Button or Control Interaction
If the unit has physical power or navigation controls, confirm they are not stuck, damaged, or being held down by a case, cart, cradle, or accessory.
Expected outcome: The display and touchscreen are not being affected by a stuck control or external pressure.
Remove External Accessories From the Equation
If the scanner is mounted on a cart, dock, charger, or bracket, remove it and test the unit handheld if safe.
Look for pressure points, poor docking alignment, or accessory contact with the screen or controls.
Expected outcome: The scanner functions normally away from the accessory. If so, inspect or replace the accessory before returning the device to use.
Check for Overheating or Environmental Exposure
Inspect the unit for unusual heat, chemical odor, swelling, moisture, or evidence it was stored in an extreme environment.
Do not continue powering the unit if overheating, swelling, smoke, or liquid intrusion is suspected.
Expected outcome: Environmental or safety concerns are identified and the device is removed from service if needed.
Confirm Display Brightness or Screen Timeout Settings
If the screen is visible but dim, check whether brightness, power-save, or timeout settings are causing the display to appear failed.
Expected outcome: The display becomes usable after settings are corrected. If resolved, educate staff and document the setting change.
Perform a Basic Functional Check
After any corrective action, verify that the scanner:
- Powers on normally
- Display is readable
- Touchscreen responds accurately
- Menus can be selected
- Scan workflow can be entered
- Battery or charging status displays properly
- No display or control fault returns
Expected outcome: The scanner passes a basic operational check before return to service.
Do Not Attempt Internal Display Repair at the Bedside
If the LCD remains blank, flickers, freezes repeatedly, has dead touch zones, or fails after known-good power and cleaning checks, stop troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The failure is treated as a likely internal display, touchscreen, connection, control board, or software issue requiring bench evaluation.
If the Problem Persists
If the display or touchscreen failure remains after power, charger, battery, cleaning, accessory, and setting checks, common external causes have been ruled out.
The Portascan 3D should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting. A bladder scanner with an unreliable display or touchscreen should not be returned to patient care because scan results, prompts, and measurements may not be visible or controllable.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot a display or touchscreen failure during an active patient scan. Have clinical staff obtain another bladder scanner first so patient care is not delayed and scan results are not affected by an unreliable interface.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported the Laborie Portascan 3D touchscreen was not responding and the display froze during bladder scan setup."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Verified the scanner powered on, charger functioned normally, and the touchscreen remained unresponsive after cleaning and power cycling."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Removed the Portascan 3D from service, labeled it Out of Service, and sent it for bench evaluation for suspected display/touchscreen assembly or internal control fault."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Whether the unit powered on
- Battery level or charging status
- Charger or dock tested
- Known-good power adapter used
- Display condition: blank, dim, flickering, frozen, cracked, or distorted
- Touchscreen response: none, delayed, inaccurate, or intermittent
- Screen cleaned and residue removed
- Protective film or cart interference checked
- Any signs of liquid intrusion, heat, odor, swelling, or impact damage
- Whether the issue occurred during startup, scanning, or menu navigation
- Final device status
Final Thought
For bladder scanner display or touchscreen failures, start with patient safety and simple external checks before assuming internal failure. Power, charging, cleaning, accessories, and settings can all mimic display problems. If the screen remains unreliable, remove the device from service and document the complaint, findings, and resolution clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.