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What This Guide Helps With
Use this guide when Tablo stops during cartridge or disposable loading because an expected position, connection, or sensor condition is not satisfied.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect the Patient and Remove the Device From Active Dependence
Do not troubleshoot a disposable-loading or sensor-check problem while a patient depends on the affected machine. If treatment has not begun, keep the device out of use until loading completes correctly. If the problem develops during an active treatment-related workflow, ensure therapy continuity according to clinical policy before technical evaluation.
Expected outcome: The machine is available for controlled troubleshooting without compromising dialysis treatment. Once the loading workflow completes reliably and final verification passes, troubleshooting can stop.
2. Identify the Exact Point Where Loading Stops
Repeat the setup workflow without bypassing prompts and document the exact stage at which the machine stops.
Determine whether the system is waiting for:
- Cartridge seating
- Door or cover closure
- Tubing placement
- A connector to be engaged
- A disposable component to be detected
- Another physical setup confirmation
Record the exact on-screen wording.
Expected outcome: The failed sensor check or physical setup stage is clearly identified. If the issue does not recur and repeated loading completes normally, document the result and troubleshooting can stop.
3. Verify the Correct Disposable Is Being Used
Check that the cartridge or disposable set is the correct product for the Tablo and intended workflow. Inspect packaging and the disposable itself for:
- Damage
- Warping
- Cracked plastic
- Bent features
- Contamination
- Incorrect assembly
- Previously opened or compromised packaging
Do not modify a disposable to make it fit.
Expected outcome: The correct, intact disposable is present. If replacing a damaged or incorrect disposable restores normal loading, complete setup verification and troubleshooting can stop.
4. Remove and Reload the Disposable Carefully
Remove the disposable according to the normal workflow and inspect all accessible seating surfaces. Reload it slowly and evenly, ensuring that all required sections are fully seated and aligned.
Do not force the cartridge, latch, cover, or tubing into position.
Expected outcome: The disposable seats completely without unusual resistance and the associated sensor check passes. If loading proceeds normally, troubleshooting can stop after completing setup verification.
5. Inspect Tubing Routing and Pinch Points
Verify that tubing is routed exactly through the intended accessible guides and is not:
- Trapped behind the cartridge
- Crossed
- Twisted
- Kinked
- Pinched by a door or cover
- Preventing complete closure
- Pulling the cartridge away from its seated position
Expected outcome: Tubing follows the intended external path and does not interfere with cartridge seating or sensor activation. If correcting routing allows the workflow to continue, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
6. Inspect Accessible Sensor-Interaction Areas
Inspect the areas where the disposable interfaces with accessible mechanical or optical detection points. Look for:
- Dried fluid
- Debris
- Moisture
- Adhesive residue
- Damaged tabs or features
- Obstruction preventing full engagement
Clean only according to approved procedures. Do not press, tape, block, or otherwise defeat a sensor to make the system proceed.
Expected outcome: Accessible sensing and engagement surfaces are clean, dry, unobstructed, and physically intact. If approved cleaning restores reliable detection, complete setup and troubleshooting can stop.
7. Check Doors, Covers, Latches, and External Mechanical Engagement
Verify that all associated doors, covers, and latches close completely and remain mechanically secure. Compare the feel and alignment with another known-good Tablo if available.
Do not adjust internal switches or sensor positions without authorized service documentation.
Expected outcome: All external mechanical interfaces close and engage normally. If correcting an obstruction or incomplete closure allows the sensor check to pass, troubleshooting can stop after verification.
8. Test With a Known-Good Disposable
If the failure remains and facility procedure permits, test with a known-good disposable from intact packaging.
If the known-good disposable works, quarantine or discard the suspect disposable according to facility policy and document the finding.
Expected outcome: The known-good disposable loads successfully. If multiple known-good disposables fail at the same sensor check, suspect a machine-side issue and remove the Tablo from service.
9. Restart the Setup Workflow
Once external conditions have been verified, safely restart the setup process using normal manufacturer procedures. Confirm that the cartridge is recognized promptly and that each subsequent setup check completes normally.
Expected outcome: The loading sequence progresses without repeated sensor-check failures. If the same sensor check repeatedly prevents setup, troubleshooting should stop and the device should be escalated.
10. Perform Final Functional Verification
Complete the full preparation workflow with an approved disposable and verify that the machine recognizes the cartridge, accepts the tubing configuration, and progresses through all required preparation checks without intermittent recognition.
Expected outcome: Disposable loading and sensor verification complete consistently with no recurring fault. Troubleshooting can stop.
If the Problem Persists
If correct disposable selection, cartridge seating, tubing routing, covers, latches, accessible sensing areas, and known-good substitutions have been verified, common external causes have been ruled out.
The problem may involve an internal position sensor, optical sensor, latch mechanism, wiring connection, sensor alignment, control circuit, or software/service-level condition.
Do not defeat, tape, bypass, or mechanically hold a sensor in an active state.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
- Evaluated using appropriate Outset Medical documentation and approved test equipment
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel
After repair, complete all applicable manufacturer-required checks involving disposable recognition, fluid-path setup, alarms, and functional operation before return to service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
A disposable that requires force, repeated manipulation, or sensor bypass to load should never be accepted for patient treatment.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Tablo repeatedly stopped during cartridge loading and would not pass the cartridge sensor check."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found that a section of disposable tubing was trapped behind the cartridge and prevented the cartridge from seating completely."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"The disposable was reloaded with correct tubing routing, the sensor check passed normally, and the complete setup workflow was verified before return to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Exact sensor or setup message
- Step where loading stopped
- Disposable part or lot information if tracked
- Cartridge condition
- Tubing routing observed
- Door or latch condition
- Presence of debris, moisture, or dried fluid
- Known-good disposable test result
- Whether the failure was repeatable
- Final setup verification result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Disposable-loading faults should be resolved by confirming the correct consumable, proper seating, routing, cleanliness, and external mechanical engagement before suspecting an internal sensor problem. Never bypass a safety or position check, and document both the cause and final verification clearly.
That is successful troubleshooting.