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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting a McGRATH MAC that will not power on or reports unusable battery power due to depletion, life-limit, seating, or battery failure.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Ensure Patient Safety First
Do not troubleshoot a McGRATH MAC during an active airway procedure or while it may be required for immediate intubation.
If the device is identified as having an unavailable or unreliable battery, provide clinical staff with another verified, ready-to-use video laryngoscope or appropriate backup airway device before evaluation.
Expected outcome: Patient care is not dependent on a video laryngoscope with uncertain battery availability.
Why it matters: Loss of video laryngoscope power during airway management can delay visualization and intubation.
2. Confirm the Reported Battery Symptom
With the device removed from clinical use, attempt normal power-on and document the observed behavior:
- No display or no startup response
- Low remaining-minute indication
- Battery warning or unusable-battery indication
- Device powers on briefly and shuts down
- Battery is not recognized after installation
The McGRATH MAC provides a minute-by-minute battery time indication when usable power is available. Medtronic identifies disposable and rechargeable battery power options for the McGRATH MAC.
Expected outcome: The actual failure mode is identified before parts are replaced.
3. Inspect the Battery Externally
Remove the battery according to normal handling practices and visually inspect it for:
- Cracked housing
- Bent, damaged, contaminated, or corroded contacts
- Swelling, leakage, unusual odor, or heat
- Damaged removal tab on rechargeable batteries
- Any visible life-limit or status indication on an equipped rechargeable battery
Do not install or reuse a battery with physical damage, leakage, unusual heat, or suspected failure.
Expected outcome: Only an externally intact battery proceeds to testing.
Stop if resolved: If a damaged battery is replaced with an approved known-good battery and the device operates normally, complete functional verification and return the unit to service per department policy.
4. Verify Correct Battery Installation
Confirm that the battery is the appropriate approved battery for the McGRATH MAC and is fully seated in the battery compartment.
Remove and reinstall the battery once, ensuring it locks into place without force or looseness.
Expected outcome: The device powers on and displays an appropriate remaining battery-time indication.
Why it matters: A partially seated battery or poor contact can appear as a depleted or unrecognized battery.
Stop if resolved: If reseating restores normal startup and stable operation, proceed to final operational verification.
5. Test With a Known-Good Approved Battery
Install a verified known-good compatible battery of the same supported type used by the facility:
- For disposable-battery configurations, use an unused approved battery pack.
- For rechargeable-battery configurations, use a fully charged approved battery known to operate correctly in another compatible McGRATH MAC.
Do not repeatedly attempt use of a depleted, expired, life-limited, or questionable battery.
Expected outcome:
- If the device powers on normally with the known-good battery, the original battery is the likely cause.
- If the device still does not recognize battery power, the fault may involve the device battery interface or internal electronics.
Stop if resolved: Remove the failed battery from available clinical stock and process it according to facility battery disposal or return procedures.
6. Evaluate Rechargeable Battery Status, If Equipped
For facilities using the McGRATH rechargeable battery system, verify that the battery has been charged using the approved charging system and observe any battery status indication.
Medtronic states that the rechargeable battery provides visual battery status indication and is intended to identify ready-to-use batteries; a battery approaching its useful-life limit should not be relied upon for clinical use.
Expected outcome: A fully charged, serviceable rechargeable battery operates normally in the laryngoscope.
Stop if resolved: Replace a depleted or life-limited rechargeable battery with a verified ready-to-use battery and document the failed battery disposition.
7. Inspect the Device Battery Compartment
With the battery removed, inspect the accessible battery compartment and contacts without disassembling the laryngoscope.
Check for:
- Debris or fluid contamination
- Bent or recessed contacts
- Cracked battery compartment surfaces
- Evidence of corrosion
- Battery fit that feels unusually loose or unstable
Do not attempt internal connector repair, contact reshaping, or opening of the device outside authorized repair procedures.
Expected outcome: The compartment appears clean, intact, and able to retain the battery securely.
8. Perform Final Operational Verification
After installing a known-good battery, verify that the McGRATH MAC:
- Powers on consistently
- Displays a stable image
- Shows an appropriate battery-time indication
- Does not shut down unexpectedly during a brief unoccupied functional test
- Has no visible physical damage affecting safe use
Expected outcome: The device operates normally with dependable battery status indication and is appropriate for return to service.
Stop if resolved: Document the battery replacement or reseating action and return the device to service according to department policy.
If the Problem Persists
If the McGRATH MAC does not power on, does not recognize a known-good approved battery, displays unreliable battery status, or loses power intermittently after external checks, common external battery causes have been ruled out. The issue is likely related to the battery interface, internal power circuitry, display electronics, or another internal device fault.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
Do not return a video laryngoscope to clinical use when battery recognition or power reliability cannot be confirmed. Knowing when to stop and escalate is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot battery issues during an active airway procedure. Move clinical staff to a verified working video laryngoscope or backup airway device first, then evaluate the affected McGRATH MAC only when patient care is not dependent on it.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported the McGRATH MAC video laryngoscope would not power on and displayed no usable battery indication before procedure setup."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"The installed battery was depleted or no longer recognized by the device; the laryngoscope powered on normally with a verified compatible replacement battery."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Replaced the failed battery with a verified ready-to-use battery, confirmed stable startup, image display, and battery-time indication, and returned the video laryngoscope to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Device power-on behavior observed
- Battery warning or remaining-minute indication displayed
- Disposable or rechargeable battery type in use
- Battery condition and contact inspection findings
- Known-good battery installed and result
- Rechargeable battery charge or life-limit status, if applicable
- Any contamination, damage, unusual heat, or odor noted
- Final device status: returned to service or removed from service
Final Thought
Battery troubleshooting on an airway visualization device must begin with patient safety and a verified backup option. Logical evaluation of battery condition, installation, known-good replacement testing, and accessible contacts can identify external causes quickly. When dependable power cannot be confirmed, appropriate escalation and clear CCR documentation protect both patients and staff.
That is successful troubleshooting.