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What This Guide Helps With
Troubleshooting helium supply, cylinder pressure, regulator, connection, or external gas delivery problems affecting CORART BP3 IABP operation.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
Ensure Patient Safety First
Confirm whether the CORART BP3 is actively supporting a patient.
If helium supply is unreliable, balloon inflation may be affected. Notify clinical staff immediately and make sure alternate IABP support is available.
Expected outcome: Patient support is protected before Clinical Engineering begins troubleshooting.
If the pump is actively in use and the fault affects therapy delivery, do not continue extended troubleshooting at the bedside. Have clinical staff transfer support to another verified IABP if clinically required.
Confirm the Reported Helium Fault
Review the reported symptom, alarm, or display message.
Look for issues such as:
- Low helium indication
- Helium supply fault
- Cylinder pressure warning
- Balloon not inflating consistently
- Weak or absent augmentation
- Repeated gas refill or purge failure
- Audible leak near the gas connection
- Fault appearing after cylinder replacement
Expected outcome: The reported failure mode is clearly identified before parts are replaced or the device is removed from service.
Verify the Helium Cylinder Is Present and Open
Check that the correct helium cylinder is installed, seated securely, and opened according to facility procedure.
A partially closed or empty cylinder can cause a supply fault even when the device itself is functional.
Expected outcome: The pump recognizes an available helium supply and the fault clears.
If the issue resolves, return the device to service only after confirming normal operation and documenting the correction.
Check Cylinder Pressure or Empty Cylinder Status
Verify cylinder pressure using the pump indication, cylinder gauge, or facility-approved method.
Replace the cylinder if it is empty, near empty, or below the facility’s acceptable threshold.
Expected outcome: Adequate helium pressure is available for pumping.
If the fault clears after replacing the cylinder, stop troubleshooting and document the depleted cylinder as the cause.
Inspect the Helium Cylinder Connection
Check the cylinder connection, regulator interface, and fitting for proper seating.
Look for:
- Loose connection
- Cross-threading
- Damaged fitting
- Missing or damaged seal
- Debris at the connection
- Incorrect cylinder type or adapter
Expected outcome: The helium connection is secure, clean, and properly sealed.
If correcting the connection resolves the fault, perform a functional check before returning the pump to service.
Listen and Check for External Gas Leakage
With the device in a safe test condition, listen near the cylinder connection and external gas interface for hissing.
Do not place your face close to fittings under pressure. Use facility-approved leak detection methods if available.
Expected outcome: No audible or visible external leak is present.
If an external leak is found at the cylinder or fitting and corrected by reseating or replacing the cylinder, retest the pump.
Check for Recent Cylinder Replacement or Handling Issue
Ask whether the helium fault began after transport, cylinder replacement, or repositioning of the pump.
Movement can loosen a cylinder connection or reveal a marginal fitting.
Expected outcome: Any handling-related external issue is identified and corrected.
Inspect External Hoses, Ports, and Accessible Gas Path Connections
Check accessible external tubing, connectors, and ports associated with helium delivery and balloon connection.
Look for loose fittings, kinked tubing, damaged connectors, or an improperly seated balloon catheter connection.
Expected outcome: External helium delivery path is intact and properly connected.
If a loose or kinked external connection is found and corrected, verify the fault clears and balloon operation appears normal.
Confirm the IAB Catheter Connection Is Secure
If connected for clinical use, have qualified clinical staff confirm the catheter connection and setup are correct.
A poor catheter connection or leak at the external catheter interface may appear as a helium delivery or gas loss problem.
Expected outcome: The external balloon catheter connection is verified without compromising patient safety.
Check for Alarm Persistence After Correcting External Supply Issues
After verifying cylinder pressure, connection security, and external tubing, observe whether the helium fault returns.
Do not repeatedly reset or silence alarms without correcting the cause.
Expected outcome: The fault either clears and remains cleared, or the device continues to indicate a helium supply problem.
Perform a Safe Operational Check Off Patient When Available
If the device has been removed from patient use, perform a facility-approved operational check using appropriate test equipment or approved test setup.
Do not perform deep internal disassembly or manufacturer service procedures unless trained and authorized.
Expected outcome: The pump either passes the helium supply check or the fault is confirmed under controlled conditions.
Evaluate for Internal Gas Delivery Failure
If the cylinder is known good, the connection is secure, no external leak is found, and the fault remains, suspect an internal gas delivery, regulator, valve, sensor, or pneumatic control issue.
Expected outcome: External causes have been ruled out, and the device is ready for repair escalation.
If the Problem Persists
If the CORART BP3 continues to show a helium gas supply fault after verifying the cylinder, pressure, connection, external fittings, and accessible tubing, common external causes have been ruled out.
The device should be:
- Removed from service
- Labeled Out of Service
- Sent for repair or bench evaluation
Do not continue repeated bedside resets or extended troubleshooting on an active patient. Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting, especially with an intra-aortic balloon pump where gas supply directly affects therapy delivery.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not troubleshoot helium supply faults on an active patient unless clinical staff confirm it is safe. If balloon inflation, augmentation, or alarm reliability is compromised, the patient should be moved to another verified IABP before equipment troubleshooting continues.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Clinical staff reported a helium gas supply fault on the Senko Medical CORART BP3 during IABP setup, with low helium indication and failure to clear the alarm."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Troubleshooting found the helium cylinder connection was loose after cylinder replacement, preventing stable gas supply recognition."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Reseated and secured the helium cylinder connection, verified adequate cylinder pressure, confirmed the helium fault cleared, and completed an operational check before returning the pump to service."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Whether the device was on a patient or removed from service
- Exact helium alarm or display message
- Cylinder pressure or empty cylinder status
- Whether the helium cylinder was replaced
- Whether the cylinder valve was open
- Condition of regulator or cylinder fitting
- Any audible hissing or suspected leak
- External tubing or connector condition
- Balloon catheter connection status
- Whether the fault cleared after reseating or replacing the cylinder
- Final device status
Final Thought
Helium supply troubleshooting on an intra-aortic balloon pump should be handled carefully and logically. Start with patient safety, then verify the cylinder, pressure, fittings, and external gas path before suspecting an internal pneumatic fault. Clear documentation helps show what was checked, what was found, and why the device was either returned to service or escalated for repair.
That is successful troubleshooting.