Teleflex AutoCAT 2 WAVE

Asset Type

Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump

Manufacturer

Teleflex

Model

AutoCAT 2 WAVE

What This Guide Helps With

Troubleshooting AutoCAT 2 WAVE FiberOptix catheter or sensor recognition issues caused by connection, setup, cable, or catheter-related problems.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

Ensure Patient Safety First

Confirm whether the AutoCAT 2 WAVE is actively supporting a patient.

If the pump is in use and the FiberOptix catheter or sensor is not recognized, notify clinical staff immediately. Do not disconnect or manipulate patient-connected catheter components unless clinical staff confirm it is safe.

Expected outcome: Patient support is maintained before troubleshooting begins.

If the recognition issue affects therapy, timing, pressure signal availability, or balloon operation, have clinical staff prepare another verified IABP or alternate monitoring method per facility policy.

Confirm the Reported Recognition Issue

Verify the exact symptom or message reported by clinical staff.

Look for issues such as:

• FiberOptix catheter not detected
• Sensor not recognized
• No arterial pressure waveform from the FiberOptix sensor
• Intermittent catheter recognition
• Recognition failure after catheter connection
• Recognition failure after patient transport
• System defaults to another pressure source

Expected outcome: The issue is confirmed as a catheter or sensor recognition problem, not a general pump, ECG trigger, helium, or power issue.

Check Whether the Correct Catheter Type Is Being Used

Confirm that the connected intra-aortic balloon catheter is compatible with FiberOptix functionality and intended for use with the AutoCAT 2 WAVE.

Expected outcome: The catheter type supports FiberOptix recognition and pressure sensing.

If the catheter is not compatible or does not include the expected FiberOptix sensor connection, stop troubleshooting the pump and document the catheter mismatch.

Inspect the External Catheter Connection

Visually inspect the catheter connector and sensor connection point at the pump.

Check for:

• Loose connection
• Partially seated connector
• Bent or damaged connector pins
• Contamination, fluid, or debris
• Strain on the catheter connection
• Cable tension from bed movement or transport

Expected outcome: The connector is clean, fully seated, and free of visible damage.

If reseating the connector restores recognition, verify stable recognition during gentle cable movement, document the finding, and stop.

Reseat the FiberOptix Connection

When clinically safe, disconnect and reconnect the FiberOptix catheter/sensor connection at the pump.

Ensure the connector is aligned correctly and seated completely. Avoid forcing the connector.

Expected outcome: The AutoCAT 2 WAVE recognizes the FiberOptix catheter or sensor after a proper reconnection.

If the issue resolves, document the loose or incomplete connection and return the device to service only if performance remains stable.

Check for External Cable or Adapter Issues

Inspect any external interface cable, catheter adapter, or connection accessory used between the catheter and the pump.

Look for:

• Kinks
• Crushed cable sections
• Worn strain relief
• Broken locking tabs
• Intermittent response when the cable is moved
• Evidence of fluid exposure

Expected outcome: External accessories are intact and do not cause intermittent recognition.

If a damaged cable or accessory is found, replace it with a known-good compatible accessory and retest.

Verify the Pump Setup and Input Selection

Confirm that the AutoCAT 2 WAVE is configured to use the appropriate catheter or pressure input.

Verify that the system is not set to an alternate arterial pressure input, external transducer input, or trigger source that would make the FiberOptix signal appear unavailable.

Expected outcome: The pump setup matches the intended FiberOptix catheter/sensor configuration.

If correcting the input or setup restores recognition, document the setup mismatch and stop.

Check for Arterial Pressure Signal Availability

If the catheter is recognized but no pressure waveform appears, determine whether the issue is recognition-related or signal-quality-related.

Check whether the pressure waveform is absent, flat, noisy, dampened, or intermittently dropping out.

Expected outcome: The problem is separated into either catheter recognition failure or poor FiberOptix/AP signal quality.

If the catheter is recognized but the waveform is poor, troubleshoot the pressure signal quality rather than replacing pump components prematurely.

Compare Against an Alternate Pressure Source if Available

When clinically appropriate, compare the FiberOptix pressure reading to another verified arterial pressure source or bedside monitor.

Expected outcome: Clinical staff can determine whether the pressure signal issue is isolated to the FiberOptix pathway or related to patient line, catheter, or physiologic conditions.

If another pressure source is stable but FiberOptix remains unavailable or intermittent, continue external connection checks and escalate if unresolved.

Check for Recognition Failure After Movement

Ask whether the issue occurs during transport, bed movement, repositioning, or when the pump is moved.

Gently observe whether recognition drops out when the external connector or cable is moved, only if safe and not affecting patient support.

Expected outcome: Intermittent recognition caused by cable strain, connector movement, or external accessory damage is identified.

If movement causes recognition loss, remove the suspect cable/accessory from service or remove the pump from service if the connection port appears suspect.

Power Cycle Only When Safe

If the AutoCAT 2 WAVE is not connected to an active patient, power cycle the unit and reconnect the catheter/sensor setup.

Do not power cycle a pump supporting an active patient unless clinical leadership confirms it is safe and appropriate.

Expected outcome: The pump completes startup and recognizes the FiberOptix catheter/sensor normally.

If recognition returns after restart, continue observation and document the behavior. If the fault repeats, remove the device from service for evaluation.

Test With a Known-Good Compatible Setup if Available

On the bench, use a known-good compatible catheter test setup, simulator, or facility-approved test accessory if available.

Expected outcome: The pump recognizes the known-good FiberOptix-compatible setup.

If the known-good setup is recognized, the original catheter, connector, or accessory is suspect. If the known-good setup is not recognized, the pump may have an internal recognition or input port issue.

Inspect the Pump Connection Port Externally

With the device removed from patient use, inspect the pump-side FiberOptix connection port.

Look for:

• Damaged port housing
• Loose connector fit
• Bent contacts
• Debris
• Signs of fluid ingress
• Excessive connector wear

Expected outcome: The port appears intact and securely holds the connector.

If the port is damaged, do not continue use. Remove the device from service and send it for repair evaluation.

Review Recent Events

Check whether the issue followed:

• Catheter replacement
• Pump transport
• Cleaning
• Fluid spill
• Cable replacement
• Software message or alarm
• Previous intermittent recognition complaint

Expected outcome: A likely external cause or repeat failure pattern is identified.

Repeat recognition faults should be treated as reliability issues, even if the device temporarily works.

Determine Whether the Device Is Safe to Return to Service

The AutoCAT 2 WAVE should only be returned to service if:

• The correct compatible catheter/accessory setup is confirmed
• The connector seats securely
• Recognition is stable
• No intermittent dropout occurs with normal cable positioning
• The pressure signal is reliable
• No related alarms remain active

Expected outcome: The device is either confirmed stable or removed from service for repair.

If the Problem Persists

If the FiberOptix catheter or sensor is still not recognized after checking compatibility, external connections, setup, accessories, signal source, and pump-side port condition, common external causes have been ruled out.

At that point, the issue may involve an internal input port, recognition circuit, sensor interface, software-related fault, or catheter/sensor failure that Clinical Engineering should not troubleshoot further at the bedside.

The device should be:

• Removed from service
• Labeled Out of Service
• Sent for repair or bench evaluation

Knowing when to stop is proper troubleshooting. Repeated catheter recognition issues on an IABP should not be treated as minor if they affect pressure signal reliability, timing, or therapy support.

Clinical Use Tip

Do not troubleshoot FiberOptix catheter recognition on an unstable or actively supported patient unless clinical staff confirm it is safe. If the pressure signal or catheter recognition is unreliable during therapy, move patient support or monitoring to a safe alternative first.

Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)

CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution

Complaint

What was reported by the clinical staff.

Example:
"Clinical staff reported that the Teleflex AutoCAT 2 WAVE would not recognize the FiberOptix catheter after connection."

Cause

What was observed during troubleshooting.

Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the FiberOptix connector was not fully seated and recognition returned after reseating the external catheter connection."

Resolution

What action was taken.

Example:
"Reseated the FiberOptix connection, verified stable catheter recognition and pressure waveform, monitored for intermittent dropout, and returned the IABP to service."

Helpful Details to Include (If Known)

• Whether the device was connected to an active patient
• Exact alarm, message, or displayed behavior
• Whether FiberOptix catheter recognition was absent or intermittent
• Whether the arterial pressure waveform was present, flat, noisy, or unstable
• Catheter type and compatibility confirmed
• Connector reseated
• External cable or adapter inspected
• Known-good accessory or setup tested, if available
• Pump-side port condition
• Whether issue occurred after transport or movement
• Indicator lights or screen messages observed
• Any unusual heat, smell, fluid exposure, or physical damage
• Final device status

Final Thought

FiberOptix catheter recognition issues should be approached logically and cautiously. Start with patient safety, then verify the catheter type, connector seating, external accessories, setup, and signal behavior before suspecting an internal pump fault. If recognition remains unreliable after external causes are ruled out, remove the AutoCAT 2 WAVE from service and document the complaint, cause, and resolution clearly.

That is successful troubleshooting.